Vietnam-EAEU: Signing the protocol on e-Customs information exchange

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Director General Nguyen Van Can (right) and Mr. Yury Senko, Chairman of the State Customs Committee of the Republic of Belarus signed the Protocol.

The Free Trade Agreement between Vietnam and the EAEU member states, including Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russia and Kyrgyzstan, which was signed and took effect on 5th October 2016 (hereinafter referred to as the Agreement), aimed at facilitating the implementation of Customs operation. As per provisions of Article 5.7 of the Agreement, the parties have an obligation to exchange e-Customs information. Pursuant to Clause 4 of Article 5.7 of the Agreement, after consultations and discussions, the parties agreed with specific articles of the Agreement to implement e-Customs information exchange in accordance with provisions of the Agreement.

The Protocol’s name is “Protocol between the central Customs authority of the Republic of Vietnam and Customs authorities of the EAEU member states to implement information exchange as per provisions in Article 5.7 of the Free Trade Agreement between Vietnam and EAEU member states signed on 29th May 2015”.

The main content: The protocol signing is to implement commitments on the e-Customs information exchange between the central Customs authorities of EAEU member states and Vietnam Customs as per Article 5.7 of the Free Trade Agreement between Vietnam and EAEU. The Protocol includes of 10 articles and 3 technical annexes.

The roadmap will be implemented in accordance with the commitments in Clause 6 of Article 5.7 of the Agreement. Specifically, in the first pilot year from 5th October 2018 to 5th October 2019, implementing e-Customs information exchange for some goods; From 5th October 2019 to 5th October 2021, implementing the information exchange for goods when turnover between the parties increases by more than 20% from the effective date of the Agreement; From 5th October 2021, implementing the information exchange for all goods traded between the parties.

The protocol signing confirms Vietnam’s active and positive role in implementing commitments of the FTA between Vietnam and the EAEU, contributing to boosting the comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam with EAEU member states. The protocol signing and implementing with the mechanism of regular information exchange and right after Customs clearance will positively contribute to the fight against customs offenses and accurately collect amounts to the State budget. Thereby, creating a favorable environment, security and safety for commercial activities, investment and business between the parties, contributing to the socio-economic development in each state.

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Moreover, the pre-arrival information exchange mechanism will also contribute to accelerating the Customs clearance, facilitating trade and promoting exports of each state. Especially in the context that Viet Nam’s exports to the EAEU member states is increasing, which will protect the legitimate interests and rights of the business community and Vietnam’s goods when exporting to these states.

Over the past time, in order to support enterprises in having full information and taking initiative in their business strategies, the General Department of Vietnam Customs has propagandized and provided information to the business community on the implementation commitments in FTAs, including the FTA between Vietnam and EAEU member states.