Director of Hai Phong Customs Department Nguyen Tien Loc: Breakthrough in customs management and trade facilitation

The General Director of Customs Nguyen Van Can inspects the implementation of the task and the scheme "Inspection and supervision of goods through warehouses, yards and seaports in Hai Phong on the electronic system" at the Customs Department of Hai Phong (November 21st, 2017). Photo by Ngoc Linh.

For the overview of the effectiveness, benefits and lessons learned in implementing the system, the Customs Newspaper interviewed Hai Phong Customs Department Director Nguyen Tien Loc - the unit proposed and the General Department of Customs guiding the implementation of the first in the entire industry.

Could you clarify how the implementation of the system is meaningful for the reform, modernization of customs, to facilitate import and export activities and improve the efficiency of state management of customs in the area of Hai Phong Port?

Since the pilot implementation (August 15th, 2017) to date, it can be said that the system has brought about great efficiency in customs reform and modernization.

As a matter of fact, for the customs office, the system is automatically linked to the National Single Window mechanism for efficient use of the e-Manifest; VNACCS/VCIS system, E-Customs (V5) for inspection and monitoring. Through this, the customs office can manage all the processes of import and export goods in the port area, warehouses, yards and the history of shipments from Vietnam. The system also eliminates manual operations, using paper documents in some professional stages of civil servants. As a result, the Customs Department concentrates its forces on supervising and controlling high risk cargoes and enterprises, avoiding widespread inspection and control and raising the efficiency of the risk mode management - a concrete step in the application of international standards and practices in modern customs management.

Implementing the system is also a concrete step, a breakthrough in administrative reform and customs modernization under the Customs Modernization, Development and Modernization Plan 2016-2020 that has been approved by the Minister of Finance.

Another practical significance is to contribute to streamlining the organization and staffing, but still enhance the efficiency in the course of operation in the spirit of the Sixth Resolution of the 12th National Assembly.

At the same time, it helps port companies to provide full and timely information on customs clearance status (from the customs office) to each shipment, each container, in order to minimize risks in carrying out the procedures for delivery, receipt of goods against the implementation of paper evidence; It is possible to implement the regime of management, statistics and storage of goods delivery documents in a fast, accurate, scientific and transparent manner; Enhance prestige, increase the ability to receive, exploit goods, improve business efficiency and competitiveness.

For import-export enterprises, the system of information exchange and processing 24/24 hours helps enterprises to fully take the initiative to deliver goods at the port, regardless of the time of work of the Customs. On the other hand, it reduces the procedure of presenting paper documents so that customs offices can inspect and certify eligible goods through the supervision area. This will help to shorten the time for delivery of goods from 5 to 7 times compared with the previous delivery time, along with the reduction in travel costs to handle the delivery of goods into the port area.

For carriers and shipping agents, thanks to the quick release of goods quickly, the turnaround time using container casings is shortened, helping enterprises increase the ability to exploit and improve the efficiency of international transportation business.

In the coming time, has Hai Phong Customs Department got any plans to improve the efficiency of the system, sir?

To maximize the benefits and improve management effectiveness, in the coming time, besides continuing to closely monitor the implementation of the system, to promptly detect and handle arising problems (if any), we continue to improve the legal basis for connecting and exchanging information to supervise export and import goods between customs offices and enterprises dealing in warehouses, yards and ports.

As the first unit in the whole research and application of the system, could you share with us how the lessons learned has have helped Hai Phong Customs to successfully implement?

I think that successful implementation of the system has many causes, but most importantly focus on the 4 following issues.

First is the implementation process. The Hai Phong Customs has always received the attention of leaders, by giving them direction and assistance from the leadership of the Ministry of Finance and leaders of the General Department of Customs. Mr. Nguyen Van Can, General Director of Customs has repeatedly directed and urged Hai Phong Customs Department in implementing the system.

Secondly, it is the political will of the collective leadership and staff in the whole unit. Initially, the Hai Phong customs office encountered many difficulties and obstacles due to the seaports in the area being spread out and scattered, and scaled with each management and exploitation process depending on the specific requirements etc. But with the determination to implement the policy, the goal of reform to accompany, share, support the business community, reduce pressure, manipulate and improve work efficiency has been reached. For Customs officers to meet the requirements of accurately managing all developments of goods in the port area, the Department has actively surveyed and studied the most common characteristics and principles of work, then offers all the possible scenarios to build the best business process that can be applied to both the customs and business.

Thirdly, we have created common awareness and consensus, cooperation of all partners, especially port dealers, warehouses, yards and the interaction of import-export enterprises.

Fourthly, it is the effective combination of departments, functions of the General Department of Customs.

Thank you very much!