Customs stands side by side with businesses to overcome difficulties

Professional activities at the Customs Department managing Yen Phong industrial parks (Bac Ninh Customs Department). Photos provided by the Department

Many solutions to clear the flow of goods

In 2021, the Covid-19 pandemic continues to cause great losses. And the Covid-19 pandemic continues to be a challenge that many businesses will have to face.

Like many other businesses, in 2021, Foster Electronics Vietnam Co., Ltd "absorbs" the difficulties caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and since then the business has gradually adapted to life during the pandemic. In that context, businesses believe that the timely support of state management agencies, including Customs authorities, is the driving force for businesses to "surmount the waves".

Bui Minh Vu, Head of the Import-Export Department of Foster Electronics Vietnam Co., Ltd. recalled that in mid-2021, when Da Nang city implemented social distancing, businesses had to manage to implement the "3 at place" to both ensure production and business activities.

But at this time a problem that arises for enterprises is the implementation of procedures to clear shipments, especially the implementation of procedures for shipments subject to inspection.

Da Nang Customs has a solution for authorized inspection enterprises, enterprises are authorized for port units to carry out the inspection with Customs. In addition, during the period of social distancing, a remote customs consulting team was always available, even after hours, to guide and answer business procedures, so that the goods of the enterprise were cleared quickly to ensure that production and business activities are not interrupted.

Bui Minh Vu said that the consideration of not sanctioning administrative violations in the field of customs for violations of regulations on the time limit for carrying out customs procedures due to force majeure situations of the Customs agency is also a support solution, helping businesses reduce pressure when facing difficulties.

With the "closer" support solutions of the Customs in both customs procedures and advice, especially in times when the locality applies social distancing, has helped Foster Electronics Vietnam Co., Ltd. still ensure that there are always sources of goods to put into production, without interruption. As a result, in 2021, despite many obstacles due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the business still has good business results.

Like Foster Vietnam Electronics Co., Ltd., the customs office has been accompanied by businesses in overcoming difficulties. For example, the customs office coordinates and guides the implementation of solutions to release the congestion and overloading of Cat Lai port, contributing to ensuring the circulation of goods in one of the largest seaports in the country.

Fast customs clearance for each shipment

Support of the Customs has been and continues to be deployed in many areas to stand side by side with businesses to gradually adapt and overcome the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

These days, at the northern border gates, thousands of trucks, mostly agricultural and aquatic products, are stuck at the border. The reason for the above situation is that the Chinese side is still implementing the "Zero Covid" policy, so the governments of China's provinces have stepped up measures to strictly control people and goods. In particular, there is a policy of "immediate border closure" if it is detected that any driver or staff at the border gate areas of either country is infected with the Sars-CoV-2 virus.

Au Anh Tuan, Director of the Customs Supervision and Administration Department (General Department of Customs), said that, in this context, on the one hand, the Customs agency accompanied and found the best solutions to reduce damage for people and businesses, such as arranging customs officers to facilitate the quick clearance of exported goods in border areas, even outside office hours; handling export procedures for export shipments, especially for export agricultural products.

On the other hand, in order to minimize congestion at the border gate, the General Department of Customs also instructed the local customs units of Lang Son, Quang Ninh, Cao Bang, Lao Cai, Ha Giang and Dien Bien to work with businesses whose goods are currently congested at border gates and bonded warehouse owners at the border gates area to guide the storage of goods at bonded warehouses waiting for export procedures to China.

The Covid-19 pandemic cannot end, which means that difficulties for businesses will always be hidden. However, with the efforts of enterprises to overcome difficulties in the past year and the companionship of the Government, ministries, branches and localities and the close cooperation of Customs authorities, it will contribute to helping businesses overcome difficulties, to proactively and confidently enter the New Year with many new opportunities.