In order to create favorable conditions for
export and import to ensure state budget revenue and combat smuggling of banned
and toxic goods, intellectual property infringement, counterfeiting of origin,
affecting national security, contributing to national security create fairness
and equality in business as well as modernize the Customs sector, the General
Department of Customs has issued the Draft Customs development strategy for the
period of 2021-2030 to gradually build Vietnam’s Customs in accordance with the
new situation.
The Draft Decision on Customs development
strategy for the period of 2021-2030 (the “Draft”) expect to ensure the management of the State
and in compliance with international commitments which Vietnam is a member.
Besides, the Draft also is expected to create favourable conditions for
enterprises and flexibility in management towards modernization of the Customs
in the new era.
The Draft aims at the overall goal of building a regular, modern
force, on par with other countries in the region and the world, towards the
development of a smart customs system, propose solutions to improve efficiency
in the process of carrying out customs procedures and collecting taxes
effectively to create convenience for passengers and businesses. At the same
time, the Draft also aims to ensure maritime security, national competition and
protect Vietnam’s interests and sovereignty.
In addition, the Draft sets out the main goals for the period
2021-2030 with the smart customs model continuing to be the key goal, built in
a professional direction, minimizing administrative procedures and
synchronization throughout the system, applying the achievements of the
Industrial Revolution 4.0 and the cooperation and facilitation of the Customs
of developed countries to realize the requirements of reform and modernization
of state administration towards building a digital government, E-government. In
addition, the prevention of smuggling activities is still a prerequisite goal
to protect the business environment in Vietnam. Moreover, the goal is to reduce
the human resource apparatus, improve the capacity and qualifications of the
customs force to suit the needs of innovation in customs management technology.
The Draft sets a target that by 2025, Customs will strive to
complete the redesign of the customs system in the direction of digital customs
while ensuring information security; to ensure 90% of applications will be
processed online, minimizing manual administrative procedures; to build a
paperless, simple and effective working environment. Accordingly, the Draft is
expected that 80% of inspection activities will be carried out through the
digital environment, the information technology system of the General
Department of Customs. Along with that, the Draft would improve the efficiency
of the Customs Single Window to 100% for administrative procedures and
integrate it on the National Public Service Portal for easy access and
implementation by businesses and people; promote the signing of international
treaties on customs to create favorable conditions for domestic enterprises as
well as ensure the principle of benefits for all parties.
In order to achieve the above objectives, the General Department
of Customs has proposed specific solutions to improve the legal system so that
the implementation is synchronized; improve management methods to prevent
violations and apply information technology to gradually guide people and
businesses familiar with online procedures; improve the use of technology for
customs officers, step by step reduce inappropriate procedures, and put the
smart customs model into the application to make appropriate adjustments to
reality.
In terms of customs operations, the Draft also sets out step by
step application of supply chain management models to meet current needs and
research the implementation in the field of insurance and customs clearance
guarantees, accelerate the inspection of goods in electronic form, reduce
paperwork to the paperless stage, simplify administrative procedures, reduce
waiting time at the border, implement the flow of goods, authorization to check
at the border gate, apply modern technology solutions and inspection and
monitoring equipment suitable to the characteristics of the border gate area,
capable of integrating and exchanging data in a centralized and unified manner.
Regarding tax administration, the Draft expects to uniformly apply
taxes and collection rates suitable for each type of goods, minimize the tax
filing process, quickly develop tax schedules as well as clear and transparent
processes, creating convenience for both payers and regulators.
Management of import and export activities, import and export of
means of transport must be unified, concentrated, and minimized the handling
process, cutting unnecessary intermediary stages. The Draft also aims to
encourage and create conditions for people, businesses and related parties to
participate in legal policy criticism, cooperate with customs authorities in
law enforcement and supervision.
With this Draft, Vietnam has the prospect that by 2030, Vietnam
will complete the renovation and modernization in the customs sector, including
building a strong and clean customs force, as well as equipping vehicles and
applying artificial intelligence technology in customs management, striving to
build a customs force on par with developed countries in the region, keeping up
with advanced countries in the world.
ANT Lawyers, a law firm in Vietnam with customs lawyers in Vietnam always follow up customs cases and its
development to update clients on regular basis.
