Apply IT in Customs modernization

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Customs reform and modernization aims to reduce customs clearance time. In the photo: Customs performance at Mong Cai Customs Branch.

To implement customs modernization, many customs officers have arrived ineach area from plain to mountainous area, from seaport to airport, to apply IT in customs modernization.

Reform is synchronization

Talking about overcoming difficulties when eliminating former thinking and methods, Mr. Nguyen Manh Hung, Director of the Customs Information Technology and Statistics Department, said that customs reform and modernization is a synchronous and unified process, and information technology is a tool.

“Whether information technology can be applied effectively or not depends on management mindset; appropriate management thinking is required to build an appropriate information technology system. When these two things are implemented, the deployment must comply with discipline and consistency.

“When the information technology has applied in all operational stages and in each working position of the Customs sector, it requires the understanding of customs officers from the General Department to local customs department, and includes practice process,”Hung said

According to Hung, when applying customs reform and modernization, the biggestdifficulties and challenge are to ensure that customs officers must understand policies and their tasks.

Because customs reform and modernization has never stopped, when this goal is achieved, the next goal is higher. This stems from the world's development context, and requirements of the Government, the business community and people; in parallel with the drastic change of science and technology. In the modernization reform, those who are slow in approaching will be followers, so this isthe biggestchallenge since 1995.

Pioneering units

Regarding the implementation of Customs reform and modernization at local customs departments, Dam Minh Nghiep, Deputy Manager of Hai Phong Seaport Customs Branch of Zone 3 (Hai Phong Customs Department), shared the determinationof Hai Phong Customs when implementing the Vietnam Automated System for Seaport Customs Management (VASSCM).

According to Nghiep, the deployment of this system stems from practical requirements, the import-export goods at seaports are increasing, and the Government's demands on reducing customs clearance time are increasingly strict.

“There is a fact that the Customs sector has many systems, but there is no management system for control areas and sites. So, theformer stages have been digitized, but the stages of receiving goods and managing goods in thecustoms control area still follow the traditional method,” Nghiep said.

In addition, the Law on Customs (Article 41) stipulates the responsibilities of port, warehouse and yard operators in customs control.

On the basis of practice and legal regulations, with the encouragement of leaders of the General Department of Vietnam Customs, the working group of Hai Phong Customs Department had an initial idea of connecting with port operators at a lower level, but when carefully researched, the team realized that it is necessary to connect on alarge scale.The larger the scale is, the smoother the connection between port operators and Customs.

“At that time, the Director of Hai Phong Customs Department directed the establishment of a working group to develop, research, formulate ideas and report to the leaders of the General Department of Vietnam Customs and was agreed to pilot implementation and coordination with related units. From building management problems, then piloting the stages, the project has been successfully deployed within a year,”Nghiep said.

Up to now, the implementation of the VASSCM has brought benefits in customs management, making an important contribution to goods statistics, anti-smuggling and quick customs clearance.

As a leading department in the implementation of the modernization reform plan of the Customs sector as well as at the department, Ms. Phung Thi Nguyen Hanh, Head of Customs Control and Supervision Division (Quang Ninh Customs Department), spokeabout obstacles in implementing modernization in border areas.

According to Hanh, Quang Ninh Customs is an experienced department in customs operations in sea, land, and air. Quang Ninh Customs Department has actively and creatively implemented customs reform and modernization programs with the highest efficiency, from implementing e-customs procedures to deploying the VNACSS/VCIS, implementing the National Single Window and online public services.

“When implementing these new management models, Quang Ninh Customs Department is really proud to be recognized by the General Department of Vietnam Customs and is one of departments active and creative in the implementation,” Hanh said.

From the perspective of the advisory division, Hanh said that the advisory unit is in charge of applying policies of the superiors into practice at local units. Therefore, the spirit of initiative and creativity is very important.

"Actively build a specific plan, implement or set up a quick response team to connect with the units of the General Department of Vietnam Customs,”Hanh said.

According to Hanh, when implementing e-customs procedures, the biggest difficulty is persuading businesses, especially businesses in border areas, because businesses have gottenused to the manual method. To implement IT application, customs officers must closely work with businesses. “Step by step to deploy to complete their duties,”Hanh said.

At the same time, along with the implementation of modernization plans of the customs, Quang Ninh Customs Department has actively built software to meet specific management requirements in the area such as: “Software management of border residents”to control the volume of goods across border gates. This software is now also applied by many local customs units. This is also the software made by the customs youth union members.