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Cai Lan international seaport. Photo: Quang Hung.

We had an opportunity to visit Cai Lan international seaport in late 2016. In the early morning, Cai Lan port was very busy. A series of containers lined up at the port gates to receive the first shipment of the day. Cai Lan port was really impressive with professionalism and modernization. After investigation, we learned that Cai Lan international seaport was the first seaport in the North to be issued the CT PAT certificate (standards of security and safety) by US Customs. Moreover, the terminal No. 2, 3, 4 has a wharf of 598m, with 4 cranes, type Post Panamax STS for 17 containers; ERTG cranes for 7 containers, container lifting frame and container trucks, especially cargo loading services up to 100 tons by hook.

Following the signposts, a reporter of the Customs Newspaper came to the area of ​​Customs procedures at ​​Cai Lan port. At Customs procedure stalls, Customs officers and employees of the Cai Lan Customs Branch wearing their uniform were quite friendly with businesses in the process of Customs procedures. Each stage of receiving, processing and analyzing information, was handled in a centralized IT system. With the motto “Customs clearance implemented as soon as possible”, Customs officers and employees had to work at full capacity.

At the headquarters of Cai Lan port, the Manager of the Cai Lan Customs Branch (under the Quang Ninh Customs Department), Mr. Vu Van Sy proudly said: In 2016, there were positive results on all aspects of the State management on Customs. In addition to applying automated clearance system VNACCS / VCIS, the Cai Lan Customs Branch opened a specialized inspection stations to reduce the clearance time of goods, ensuring the interests of the business community, as well as meeting the requirements on inspecting exports and imports. Specifically, thanks to the specialized inspection station at Cai Lan port, the time of Customs clearance was reduced significantly (such as the clearance time of imported automobiles reduced from 5.8 days to 0.4 days). Besides, the proportion of Green Channel reached 59.6%; the Yellow Channel reached 35.5% and the Red Channel was only 4.9% (below the level of 7% as the objectives of the General Department of Vietnam Customs in 2020).

These positive results made 220 enterprises regularly participate in Customs procedures at Cai Lan port. During this trip, the reporter of the Customs Newspaper had an opportunity to meet and talk with representatives of many companies in the process of Customs procedures. The behaviours of companies expressed their trust with Customs officers.

Vietnam New Century Chemical Fiber Co., Ltd. (located in Cai Lan Industrial Zone) was a typical example. For more than 3 years of operation, this company had more than 500 employees for production and exports to the Americas and some European countries. Ms. Mai Quyen, an official in charge of imports and exports in Vietnam New Century Chemical Fiber Co., Ltd. said: In addition to settling Customs procedures promptly, Customs officers of Cai Lan port always answered all questions from enterprises thoroughly, especially policies of specialized inspections. Thus, domestic enterprises were more active with foreign partners, as well as making plans to expand production and business activities.

The efforts of Customs officers at Cai Lan port contribute to increasing State budget revenues. Photo: Quang Hung.

Coming to the Cai Lan Customs Branch for advice of duty-free procedures for imports in accordance with the Law on Import and Export Duty, Ms. Cao Thi Hoan, an officer of Anh Duong Vietnam Co. had the same viewpoint with the reporter. During its 5-year operation, Anh Duong Vietnam Co. received many benefits, including: the clearance time was shortened and obstacles were removed in a timely fashion.

In fact, the promotion of reform of administrative procedures was considered to be the first task of the Cai Lan Customs Branch from the beginning of 2016. This has met the expectations of hundreds of enterprises in the field of export and import as well as ensuring the State management, contributing to increasing revenues for the State budget.

In 2016, State budget revenues of the Cai Lan Customs Branch reached 7,158 billion vnd, equivalent to 124.5% compared to the assigned task (5,750 billion vnd), reaching 103.75% compared to the target (6,900 billion vnd). This figure exceeded by 29% compared to revenues in 2015 (5,570 billion vnd), more than 2 times compared to 2014 (3,457 billion vnd). The reason was an increase in tax rates of key commodities items from 0% to 2% such as wood chips and soybean oil. Particularly, imported tourist cars increased by 130% in quantity, an increase of 137% in value (accounting for 80% of revenues). However, it was clear that there were many efforts of Customs officers and employees of Cai Lan port in attracting businesses through the promotion of administrative reform, application of software in all business transactions; and resolving feedback as well as difficulties of enterprises in a timely fashion.

Regarding Customs surveillance, the Cai Lan Customs Branch has implemented barcode readers system effectively, including: Determining the number of Customs declarations, Customs declaration, container number, and the quantity of containers. As a result, the Cai Lan Customs Branch has saved time of Customs clearance, preventing backlogs and congestion. Besides, the Cai Lan Customs Branch has also coordinated with agencies such as the Port force, the Border Guard, port businesses such as Quang Ninh Company Limited, CICT international container Co. Ltd and agencies in the field of specialized inspections to settle procedures promptly, facilitating enterprises.

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The motto "Success must come from collaboration of both sides" was also the desire of the leader of the Cai Lan Customs Branch. The support of enterprises is the "key" for Customs officers to get achievements.