Customs development strategy to 2030: administrative reform - a prerequisite to realizing goals

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Dr. Nguyen Minh Thao

The Customs industry is one of the pioneers in reforming administrative procedures, applying IT in professional activities. What do you think about achieving significant results?

The Customs sector has strongly implemented administrative procedures, especially from launching the Automated Clearance System (VNACCS/VCIS). This is considered one of the good precedents in administrative procedure reform. Based on the IT platform, the Customs sector continues to offer solutions for digitization and electrification in carrying out customs procedures to facilitate businesses in import and export activities.

In addition to reforming administrative procedures, the Customs sector is also one of the pioneers in applying risk management and has achieved positive results in customs operations, which is a good premise and experience for other industries to follow.

It can be said that in the supply chain of goods, the customs authority is under great pressure. In the face of pressure on goods clearance for businesses, leaders of the General Department of Customs and Customs departments of provinces and cities have often paid attention to directing, as well as creating motivation and encouraging administrative procedure reform from the General Department of Customs to the departmental and sub-department levels.

In 2015, when the Customs sector gave results on time measurement of goods release in which 72% of the time related to specialized management procedures, 28% of the time of customs clearance of goods in the field of customs. The Customs sector has always tried to complete the task well within its capacity, in the fastest way and in the shortest time. However, in customs clearance of import and export goods, in addition to reform in the customs, reform in fields of specialized management must be required.

The achieved results are a premise for the Customs sector to realize the goals set out in the Customs Development Strategy to 2030, which focuses a lot on implementing Digital Customs.

Customs development strategy to 2030 approved by the Prime Minister is to continue promoting customs reform and modernization to create favourable conditions for the business community, isn't it madam?

Before the implementation of e-customs, many businesses complained that the procedures were still difficult. However, since 2015, the Customs sector has launched VNACCS/VCIS nationwide, and many businesses have asked: Why didn't the Customs sector implement the system sooner?

The business community has appreciated the Customs sector's efforts, including applying risk management. The enterprise also makes efforts to meet the channelization criteria, especially recognizing the authorized economic operation regime. Given many mechanisms and ways to encourage businesses to comply with the law, this is the foundation for the Customs sector to implement the goals set out in the Customs Development Strategy to 2030.

To concretize the objectives set out in the strategy, the Customs sector is determined to continue building a legal foundation on modern customs, ensuring a full legal basis for developing and implementing the Customs Digital model. To do this end, what should the Customs do, ma'am?

When setting out goals in the strategy, the Customs sector has set specific targets to build a digital Customs environment. Therefore, this requires the Customs sector to create an institutional system and a legal basis for the operation of the electronic platform. For example, if all transactions are carried out on an electronic platform, the requirements for taxes, digital signatures, and document authentication among ministries and agencies need to be legalized.

Currently, there are still many legal gaps in operating the electronic environment. Therefore, the fact that the Customs sector sets the goal of perfecting the legal basis to create the foundation for the operation of electronic customs and procedures is considered the proper step to bring Digital Customs into practice. Because if the electronic environment does not ensure the rights of businesses and the safety of doers, it will be challenging to realize this goal

In the Customs development strategy to 2030, the Government determines long-term, consistent and innovative goals, orientations and solutions to meet the general development requirements of the country, with the participation of the ministries and central and local agencies related to customs activities. In your opinion, what are the roles of ministries and central and local agencies in implementing this strategy?

Although the strategy aims to develop Customs until 2030, customs procedures and customs clearance activities for import and export goods for businesses are not only the task of the Customs authority but also other ministries and agencies.

The strategy sets specific goals and orientations. Customs cannot implement the plan alone. It requires the participation of other ministries and agencies.

For example, in the implementation of the National Single Window, by 2025, 100% of administrative procedures will be carried out through the National Single Window, and customs procedures will only be eletronized when the ministries and agencies connect. Therefore, the participation of ministries, agencies and specialized management agencies play an important role, together with the Customs sector, in effectively implementing the Customs Development Strategy to 2030.

Thank you ma'am!