A dialogue between Ho Chi Minh City Customs Department and Dutch traders to deal with difficulties

VCN- On September 21st, Ho Chi Minh City Customs Department conducted a dialogue to address problems raised by the Dutch business community. At the conference, traders raised difficulties in procedures and specialized inspection for imports. Their questions were responded to by Ho Chi Minh City Customs Department’s leaders.
a dialogue between ho chi minh city customs department and dutch traders to deal with difficulties
Ho Chi Minh City Department’s leaders exchanging with traders. Photo: T.H.

Raising inquiries at the conference, Dutch traders shared that they faced numerous obstacles in terms of specialized inspections which impeded their importation and exportation. Hence, the traders proposed several solutions to simplify the procedures of specialized inspections such as mutual recognition of findings, and risk management application in specialized inspections.

In reply to questions by traders, Deputy Director of Ho Chi Minh City Customs Department, Mr. Nguyen Huu Nghiep said that Customs had proposed to recognize mutually specialized inspection results by foreign countries for trade facilitation.

Material imported from the same manufacturer, inspected many times without faults or violations would have risk managemetn pronciples applied and be exempted from specialized inspection. Channeling goods subjected to specialized inspection should be performed; the rate of inspecting goods imported from targeting countries should be increased whilst the rate of inspecting imports from safe countries should be reduced.

Representatives from an enterprise importing material for decal paper production located in Phan Thiet – Binh Thuan Industrial Park raised a question relating to the Law on Import and Export Duties. This trader’s representatives supposed since September 1st 2016 in accordance with the Law on Import and Export Duties, consignments of material imported for decal paper production had been exempted from duties. However, the question was whether duties, which had been paid on goods in stock which had not been exported, could be refunded.

Responding to traders’ questions, Ho Chi Minh City Customs Department said that according to the Law on Import and Export Duties 2016, imports for export manufacture are free of duty. With regard to this matter, the Ministry of Finance issued a guiding document with the following contents: import declarations since September 1st 2016 have been exempted from duties; for declarations made before September 1st, 2016 there are many cases. If material imported for export manufacture has not been exported, traders can make new declarations for duty exemption.

If material imported remains in stock and is not used for manufacture, then traders can make new declarations for duty exemption for the material in stock. Products which have not been exported beyond 275 days, but duties have been paid, would undergo drawback procedures when they are actually exported as regulated.

Representatives from Philips Viet Nam Company produced a case: if imports have been cleared but the company’s foreign partner provides false invoices, can the trader make a supplementary declaration?

This issue was explained by Mr. Nguyen Huu Nghiep. In concrete cases, traders can contact Customs for supplementary declarations. If the traders do not carry out such work, Customs conduct post clearance audit and detect the fact that the traders have paid more than the declared prices, the traders will be required to pay duties and be fined for their tax fraud.

Answering traders’ questions on HS codes for imported goods, Ho Chi Minh City Customs Department supposed in accordance with the Law on Import and Export Duties, if traders want to benefit from preferential duty rates, they must declare clearly their importation patterns. In the light of regulations, duty exemption would be offered to importation for the export manufacture pattern meanwhile importation for commercial purposes is not free of duty.

Not only raising difficulties, some traders also made several proposals to Customs administration. They said that the requirement of C/O submission for preferential duty treatment at the time of importation, would make cargoes get stuck at border gates. The traders proposed Customs to reinforce post clearance audit instead of preventing violations by common management measures at the time of importation.

Besides, Customs should review Decree No. 68 regulating that traders shall ask permission from the General Department of Customs for narrowing or expanding Customs warehouses instead of asking permission from provincial Customs departments before.

At the conference, the Deputy Director of Ho Chi Minh City Customs Department , Mr. Nguyen Huu Nghiep informed about new regulations of the Law on Import and Export Duties which became effective from September 1st 2016, noting traders that they must have and present C/Os at the time of registering declarations for preferential duty rates.

This means traders must not submit C/O after declaration lodgment as before. In parallel, traders should strictly manage and control use of their digital signatures; selecting reputable Customs brokers for import and export.

By T.Hoa/ Phuong Lien

Related News

Hai Phong Customs sets out 15 tasks to achieve the revenue target of VND 72,000 billion

Hai Phong Customs sets out 15 tasks to achieve the revenue target of VND 72,000 billion

VCN – Hai Phong Customs Department has issued Directive No. 624/CT-HQHP dated January 21, 2025 on drastically implementing solutions to facilitate trade, improve the effectiveness of state management, and strive to achieve the revenue target of 2025.
GDVC sets goal of widely disseminating Customs policies

GDVC sets goal of widely disseminating Customs policies

VCN – The General Department of Vietnam Customs (GDVC) has issued a plan to disseminate and educate the law; and support and provide information in 2025.
Hai Phong Customs strives to perform tasks from the beginning of the year

Hai Phong Customs strives to perform tasks from the beginning of the year

VCN – Hai Phong Customs Department has actively and effectively implemented solutions to accomplish tasks and achieve targets.
An Giang Customs strictly controls goods moving across the border

An Giang Customs strictly controls goods moving across the border

VCN- An Giang Customs Department implements imports and exports smoothly, strictly controls smuggling and illegal transportation of goods across the border, and arrests cases.

Latest News

Over 1,500 customs declarations processed by Hai Phong Customs during Tet

Over 1,500 customs declarations processed by Hai Phong Customs during Tet

VCN - Hai Phong Customs Department processed 1,547 customs declarations during the Tet holiday period
Ho Chi Minh City: Foreign visitors spend more than VND1,500 billion to buy goods upon exit

Ho Chi Minh City: Foreign visitors spend more than VND1,500 billion to buy goods upon exit

VCN - According to the Ho Chi Minh City Customs Department, in 2024, the unit refunded VAT on goods that foreigners and oversea Vietnamese residents brought with them when leaving the country with a value of over VND1,540 billion.
3,500 customs declarations handled in Lang Son over Tet

3,500 customs declarations handled in Lang Son over Tet

VCN - During the 2025 Lunar New Year (Year of the Snake), Lang Son Customs Department processed nearly 3,500 customs declarations valued at over US$306 million.
Hai Phong Customs processes more than 1,500 declarations during 2025 Lunar New Year holiday

Hai Phong Customs processes more than 1,500 declarations during 2025 Lunar New Year holiday

VCN - During the 2025 Lunar New Year holiday, Hai Phong Customs Department processed 1,547 declarations.

More News

US$10.5 million in trade flows through Binh Duong Customs during Tet  During the 2025 Lunar New Year

US$10.5 million in trade flows through Binh Duong Customs during Tet During the 2025 Lunar New Year

VCN - During the 2025 Lunar New Year holiday, the Binh Duong Customs Department arranged for staff to be on duty, ensuring quick and timely customs clearance, helping import and export businesses avoid interruptions and maintaining a smooth flow of goods.
Proactive customs measures for express parcels: Tightening control over import-export goods

Proactive customs measures for express parcels: Tightening control over import-export goods

VCN - International express delivery companies are the main entities responsible for handling import and export customs procedures on behalf of the recipients. The Express Customs Branch (HCM City Customs Department) has been proactive in introducing various measures to both promote trade and maintain strict control over import and export goods
Best covers of Vietnam Customs songs: 15 winners revealed

Best covers of Vietnam Customs songs: 15 winners revealed

VCN - The Vietnam Customs Youth Union has just officially revealed the 15 victorious pieces in the "Cover Songs about Vietnam Customs 2024" contest. These 15 prizes are divided into various categories, totaling approximately 100 million Vietnamese Dong in prize money
Vietnam Customs kicks off campaign for innovation, breakthrough, and growth

Vietnam Customs kicks off campaign for innovation, breakthrough, and growth

VCN - To concentrate on leadership, guidance, and vigorous implementation of goals, targets, and tasks towards the objectives of Digital Customs and Green Customs by 2025, the General Department of Vietnam Customs has launched a competition campaign with the theme: "Innovation - Breakthrough – Development”
Researching and proposing amendments to 2014 Customs Law to meet the requirements of innovation

Researching and proposing amendments to 2014 Customs Law to meet the requirements of innovation

VCN - After 10 years of implementation, the Customs Law has been effective in reforming administrative procedures and protecting national sovereignty. However, in the context of innovation requirements, it is necessary to continue reforming specialized inspections and focusing on digital transformation.
Hai Phong Customs implements solutions to facilitate trade

Hai Phong Customs implements solutions to facilitate trade

VCN - In 2024, trade turnover of Hai Phong Customs Department saw a sharp increase compared to 2023 to more than US$132 billion.
Vietnam Customs overhauls customs valuation management

Vietnam Customs overhauls customs valuation management

VCN - The General Department of Vietnam Customs has recently issued a decision to promulgate an action plan for the implementation of the Customs Valuation Management Reform Project up to 2030 (hereinafter referred to as the Project), which has been approved under Decision No. 167/QĐ-TCHQ dated February 10, 2023, by the Director General of Vietnam Customs.
GDVC answers questions for VBF enterprises

GDVC answers questions for VBF enterprises

VCN - The General Department of Vietnam Customs (GDVC) and the Vietnam Business Forum (VBF) jointly held a regular meeting to answer questions about customs procedures, tax policies, etc. for VBF member enterprises on January 10, 2025.
Da Nang Customs Department supports enterprises in developing Customs-Business partnership

Da Nang Customs Department supports enterprises in developing Customs-Business partnership

VCN – At the Conference on developing Customs-Business Partnership 2024 held by Da Nang Customs Department, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Da Nang People's Committee Ho Ky Minh highly appreciated the development of Customs-Business Partnership over the past time, bringing many practical benefits not only to businesses but also creating favorable conditions for Da Nang's goods to quickly access the international market, promoting the city's economic development.
Read More

Your care

Latest Most read
GDVC sets goal of widely disseminating Customs policies

GDVC sets goal of widely disseminating Customs policies

VCN - Additionally, the GDVC aims to unify the direction and coordination within and outside the industry on the dissemination and education of laws for customs officials; to support, and provision of information to relevant organizations and individuals.
Hai Phong Customs sets out 15 tasks to achieve the revenue target of VND 72,000 billion

Hai Phong Customs sets out 15 tasks to achieve the revenue target of VND 72,000 billion

VCN - In 2025, Hai Phong Customs Department is assigned to collect the revenue target of VND72,000 billion (under Decision No. 1524/QD-TTg dated December 6, 2024 of the Prime Minister).
Over 1,500 customs declarations processed by Hai Phong Customs during Tet

Over 1,500 customs declarations processed by Hai Phong Customs during Tet

Hai Phong Customs Department processed 1,547 customs declarations during the Tet holiday period
Hai Phong Customs strives to perform tasks from the beginning of the year

Hai Phong Customs strives to perform tasks from the beginning of the year

VCN - Following Decision 19/2014/QD-TTg dated March 5, 2014 of the Prime Minister on the application of the Quality Management System under the National Standard TCVN ISO 9001:2008, Hai Phong Customs Department has issued a quality policy and quality obje
Ho Chi Minh City: Foreign visitors spend more than VND1,500 billion to buy goods upon exit

Ho Chi Minh City: Foreign visitors spend more than VND1,500 billion to buy goods upon exit

VCN - According to the Ho Chi Minh City Customs Department, in 2024, the unit refunded VAT on goods that foreigners and oversea Vietnamese residents brought with them when leaving the country with a value of over VND1,540 billion.
Mobile Version