Conditions of customs inspection and supervision when establishing export processing enterprises

Industrial Park and Export Processing Zone in HCM City. Photo: N.H

The provincial Customs Department when receiving document on collecting opinions of investigation registration authority as stipulated in Point 1, Article 30, Decree 82/2018/NĐ-CPshoud direct customs branches managing area proposed to establish export processing enterprises by the investor to conduct the inspection to confirm the capability to meet customs inspection and supervision conditions.

Specifically, contents that need to be checked include:

Having a hard fence around the zone, separate from the outside area.

Having a camera surveillance system to clearly displays the image of goods entering and leaving the zone. The images should be recorded at all times of the day (24/7) and image data should be kept at the enterprise for at least 12 months. The camera system is directly connected with the customs authority.

The management system of imported raw materials and supplies for export production can export data of stock receiving, stock delivery inventory, supplies and products to make data of export goods export the import-export data - storing raw materials, supplies and products to make a final account on the using situation to Customs authorities.

This guidance of the General Department of Vietnam Customs is temporarily implemented while awaiting amending and supplementing relevant regulations, for investment projects establishing export processing enterprises that have completed construction of factory and infrastructure, preparing to go into production.

Earlier, the Government Office issued a document conveying the directives of Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung requesting to remove obstacles related to operations of export processing enterprises. The Deputy Prime Minister requested the Ministry of Planning and Investment to work with concerned authorities in reviewing and evaluating regulations related to the activities of investors as export processing enterprises and enterprises in non-tariff areas as prescribed in Decree 118/2015/ND-CP on guiding the Investment Law, Decree 82/2018/ND-CP on the management of economic zones and industrial parks, proposing amendments and supplements to report to the Prime Minister.

The Ministry of Finance worked with concerned authorities in elaborating regulations on customs inspection and supervision and outsourcing warehouses to store goods, raw materials, supplies and manufacturing for the export processing zone (not manufacturing at leasing warehouses) and export processing enterprises in accordance with provisions of the Law on Import - Export Tax, and the Customs Law; formulating conditions to ensure inspection and supervision activities of customs authorities at places storing goods of export processing enterprises at outsourced warehouses.

While waiting for amendments and supplements to the above provisions, the Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Ministry of Finance should instruct on outsourcing the warehouse of export processing enterprises and the establishment of export processing enterprises in accordance with regulations, avoiding affecting investment attraction activities in localities.