Customs modernization focuses on developing e-Customs into Digital Customs

	Enterprises accompany the process of Customs reform and modernization
	Customs modernization promotes logistics links in the Southeast region

Director of Customs IT and Statistics Department Le Duc Thanh states at the Customs-Tax Forum 2023. Photo: T.B

Completing 5 E

At the Customs-Tax Forum 2023, Director of Customs IT and Statistics Department Le Duc Thanh said that thanks to promoting the application of information technology and digital transformation, the Customs industry has soon achieved and exceeded targets in the Customs Development Strategy to 2020.

In the period 2010 - 2020, Vietnam Customs has completed the goal of implementing e-Customs with 5E, including E-Declaration, E-payment, E-C/O, E-permit and E-manifest.

Notably, for E-declaration, 100% customs procedures are processed automatically; 100% Customs Departments and branches perform e-procedures with participation by 99.65% enterprises.

“Along with the rapid development of the country's economy, the workload of the General Department of Vietnam Customs increases rapidly. The average annual import-export turnover rises 23%; the annual average annual tax revenue grows 9.2% and the average number of declarations goes up 22%. Currently, the Customs has processed about 15 million customs dossiers of people and enterprises. Meanwhile, in recent times, the number of Customs official declines from 1.5-1.7% per year. Thanks to the IT application, enterprises have carried out customs procedures smoothly and quickly” Thanh said.

Officers of Hai Duong Customs Branch at work. Photo: T.B

Regarding e-payment, from 2012, the Customs administration has connected with the information system with commercial banks and the State Treasuries to implement e-tax payment.

From 2017, the Customs has executed the Project for e-tax payment and Customs clearance. Accordingly, tax payers may pay taxes anytime, anywhere and by any devices connected internet; the tax payment is implemented promptly and accurately; the tax payment time and customs clearance time is shortened.

Currently, 47 commercial banks have participated in the e-tax payment program 24/7; the revenue collected online has reached 98.4% of the total revenue of the General Department of Vietnam Customs.

The Customs industry has focused on applying information technology comprehensively in all aspects of Customs operations, bringing positive results in customs management.

The Customs has applied digital technologies in goods inspection and supervision such as using container scanners, online monitoring, and e-seals for automatic control for cargo transported by container...

Focusing on Digital transformation and Digital Customs

“The results achieved in applying information technology and implementing electronic customs are an important premise for the Customs industry to implement target of Digital transformation, especially Digital Customs” Mr. Le Duc Thanh said.

“The General Department of Vietnam Customs has established an organizational apparatus and mobilized resources to perform the Digital Transformation. The top country’s regulator has established a Steering Committee for Digital Transformation, and the head of the Committee as a Deputy Director General, members as directors of central departments and local customs departments to direct the Digital Transformation.

The Steering Committee has organized two meeting sessions to direct the Digital Transformation in the whole Customs Industry. 100% local customs departments have also established digital transformation steering committees” the Director said.

To unify awareness and action, the General Department of Vietnam Customs has issued digital transformation programs and plans across the industry. The Customs industry's digital transformation plan to 2025, with a vision to 2030; Digital transformation plan 2023. At the same time, 35 local customs departments also issued their digital transformation plans.

In the Customs industry's digital transformation plan to 2025, orientation to 2030, the General Department of Vietnam Customs sets a goal that by 2025, 100% of customs procedures will be digitalized and processed online; 95% of customs documents will be converted to digital data (striving to reach the target of 100% customs documents by 2030,); 100% of records on organizations and individuals related to export and import activities; people, vehicles and goods on exit, entry, and in transit will be managed in the form of digital data.