Bac Ninh Customs: Effectiveness of Enterprise Compliance Program

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Officers of Yen Phong Industrial Zone Customs Branch under Bac Ninh Customs Department. Photo: Q.H

Giving priority to customs procedures

According to Bac Ninh Customs Department, the implementation of the pilot program to support and encourage enterprises to voluntarily comply with the customs law has been carried out effectively and on schedule. By the end of November 2022, the Department signed a Memorandum of Understanding and Action Plan Program for 12 local enterprises under its management.

After signing the Memorandum of Understanding, the officer in charge of risk management at the Department updated the membership on the Customs Risk Management System (CRMS), VNACCS/VCIS. The Customs branches requested all officers and disseminated the member enterprises. At the same time, the Department assigned officers as focal points to directly support enterprises at department and customs branches.

The signposting at the Customs control area for member enterprises of the program has helped enterprises understand and receive priority in support and solve problems. Every three months, the risk management unit of the department evaluates and discusses the limitations and risks of 12 member enterprises when participating in import-export activities and carrying out customs procedures, which affect the compliance level.

As of May 15, five out of 12 enterprises improved their compliance with Customs law. Notably, UTI Vina Co., Ltd. raised the compliance level from Level 4 (low compliance) to Level 2 (high compliance) and Ariston Thermo Vietnam Co., Ltd., KCC (Hanoi) Co., Ltd., Bac Giang Import-Export Joint Stock Company from Level 3 (medium compliance) to Level 2 (high compliance).

Talking to Customs News, most of the enterprises participating in the program are quite satisfied with the performance of the department.

Enterprises also highly appreciate the professional performance of customs officers during customs procedures, as well as the support in instructing and handling problems of enterprises to help shorten customs clearance time. Through participating in the Program, businesses enhance compliance, thereby reducing the rate of declarations subject to check customs documents and physical inspection, and reducing customs clearance time.

Ms. Do Thi Thanh Nhan, Head of Import-Export Department of UTI Vina Co., Ltd. (at Diem Thuy Industrial Park, Diem Thuy Commune, Phu Binh District, Thai Nguyen province) said Customs gave priority to the company in the customs process (even outside working hours), as well as arranged officers to support and answer the company about procedures and policies related to import and export, HS codes.

In the near future, the company hopes that Customs will continue to support and create favourable conditions for the company and the business community, contributing to promoting investment across the area.

Expanding the number of participating businesses

After more than seven months of implementing the pilot program, member enterprises have felt the benefits brought by the program. However, the number of participating enterprises accounted for a very small percentage of the total number of enterprises registering for customs procedures in the area under the management of Bac Ninh Customs Department.

Through the dissemination via forums, with different methods, local businesses have grasped information about the program. Enterprises have the same desire to participate in the program, especially some large-scale enterprises with many import and export declarations.

According to the leader of Bac Ninh Customs Department, because enterprises with medium and low compliance levels account for a large proportion of the total number of enterprises carrying out customs procedures in the area, the department wishes to expand the number of enterprises participating in the Program to increase the number of high compliant enterprises, thereby reducing the rate of inspection of documents as well as import and export goods, reducing the pressure of customs clearance in the context of limited customs officers.