Proactively assess the impact of Covid-19 on customs operation

Customs forces have been trying to facilitate import and export activities during the time of Covid-19 epidemic. In the photo, import and export activities at Kim Thanh international border gate No. 2, Lao Cai. Photo: T. Bình

The General Department of Vietnam Customs has been grasping, analysing and assessing the impacts to respond promptly and ensure the fulfillment of assigned tasks and effective control of the epidemic.

On March 9, Deputy Director of Hai Phong Customs Department Nguyen Kien Giang said that facing the situation of Covid-19 epidemic and implementing the direction of the leaders of the General Department of Vietnam Customs, Hai Phong Customs Department has been carrying out solutions to complete the "dual goal" of performing professional work and controlling the disease.

“For import-export activities and revenue collection at the unit, there was a decrease compared to the same period last year. Leaders of the Department requested the departments closely monitor the operation situation and promptly report when there was an abnormal fluctuation in turnover," Giang said.

With the situation of revenue collection, the leader of Hai Phong Customs Department said the important solution was to facilitate the business community in the process of carrying out customs procedures to nurture revenue.

Leaders of Hai Phong Customs Department added that with the facilitation for enterprises, besides long-term and regular solutions, the leaders of the department directed branches, especially branches managing lots of manufacturing enterprises such as Investment and Processing Customs Branch, Export Processing Zone – Industrial Park Customs Department, Hai Duong Customs Branch, Hung Yen Customs Branch, Thai Binh Customs Branch to strengthen and grasp the "wealthy" of the business. Thereby, grasping the cases which were moderate operation or stop operation or efficient operationand the needs for supporting of enterprises to have appropriate and effective solutions.

“Recently, Hai Phong Customs Department has proposed the General Department of Vietnam Customs consider extending the time limit of documents submission for enterprises having partners located in epidemic regions such as China and South Korea Or direct the branches to consider and assist enterprises in submitting the settlement reports in March," Deputy Director of Hai Phong Customs Department shared about thr specific case.

Along with that, implementing the direction of the Prime Minister, leaders at all levels and leaders of Hai Phong Customs Department also directed the Post-Clearance Audit Branch not to organise the inspection in the current period. If they detect suspicious cases, they should request enteprises explain by document. This would contribute to preventing the Covid-19 epidemic by restricting crowds of people.

Lao Cai Customs Departmentwas one of the units that made great efforts in clearing import and export activities with China during the Covid-19 outbreak. On March 9, Deputy Director of Lao Cai Customs Department Nguyen Quyet Chien said that implementing the request of the General Department of Vietnam Customs, the unit has implemented the report mechanism on import-export activities across the locality day by day (besides periodic reports). Therefore, changes related to import and export activities have been updated timely.

Regarding the facilitation for the business community, from the Tet holiday of 2020 to the present, two units of Lao Cai Customs Department had arisen import-export activities (Lao Cai International Border Gate Customs Branch and Lao Cai International Railway StationCustoms Branch). The main goods were agricultural products, fertilisers and minerals. The two units have maintained their operations on Saturdays and Sundays for implementing customs clearance for enterprises.