3 Pillars in customs modernization

	Enterprises accompany the process of Customs reform and modernization
	Customs modernization focuses on developing e-Customs into Digital Customs

Officers of Lao Cai Customs Department at work. Photo: T.B

Streamline and harmonize procedures

According to the Customs Reform and Modernization Board (under the General Department of Vietnam Customs), the Customs industry has implemented customs reform towards streamlining and harmonizing customs management regimes under the standards of the World Customs Organization (WCO), creating a foundation for redesigning customs procedures, inspection and supervision, and meeting the requirements of implementing the Digital Customs and Smart Customs models.

The Customs industry has built and completed the modern, unified and transparent customs legal system in line with international commitments; focused on building the Customs Law to replace the current Customs Laws, ensuring sufficient legal framework to perform customs management and to build the Customs Digital, Smart Customs, Smart Border, and Green Customs; and applied blockchain-based identity management solutions.

The Customs industry has applied customs management mechanisms to each subject, encouraging customs declarant to comply with the law.

The Customs has improved the effectiveness and efficiency of the prevention and combat of smuggling, trade fraud, and illegal transportation of goods across borders, strengthened coordination with international and domestic organizations in customs control.

It has also applied information technology and modern technology in customs control; connected and exchanged information with the State management agencies, individuals and businesses engaged in import and export activities.

In addition, the Customs agency continues to review and propose amendments to the legal system on specialized management and inspection to reform the model of quality inspection and food safety inspection for imports and exports.

Applying new technology

Regarding tools, the Customs industry has developed digital customs data to create a foundation for executing Digital Customs, Smart Customs, providing digital data for online public services, sharing data between the Customs with the State management agencies, providing open high-value datasets, opening data under the provisions of law to develop the digital ecosystem and Digital Customs.

In the near future, the Customs industry will strongly apply technology solutions of the Fourth Industrial Revolution such as: Internet of Things (IoT), block chain, artificial intelligence (AI), Big data, Business intelligence (BI), Cloud, Mobility.

Therefore, the Customs information system of Vietnam Customs has high-level integration and meets requirements on information security, and easily expands when new management requirements arise, ensuring the application of information technology in all customs operations; supports the direction, administration and enforcement of public duties at all levels.

Developing professional human resources

Regarding the human resources, the Customs industry has built a contingent of professional, qualified, integrity customs officials who master modern technology and are provided with modern equipment, arranged and managed scientifically in accordance with the actual working positions and their capacities to meet the modern customs management model.

The industry has implemented transparent human resource recruitment mechanism with reasonable remuneration to attract high-quality human resources. It has developed and executed a human resource management model based on working position and human resource development policies to meet the requirements of centralized and smart customs management.

In addition, the Customs industry has built e-human resource management system to ensure maximum automation of human resource management procedures; built modern facilities, training management methods that meet the standards of regional training facilities, and lecturers with expertise in customs knowledge, pedagogical skills, some full-time and part-time lecturers recognized by the WCO; and strengthened customs integrity.

The development and cooperation in implementing programs and solutions need to be supported by the WCO and Customs administrations of developed countries to achieve the goals of global Customs.