GDVC effectively performs ASEAN Single Window for implementing Digital Customs

	Improving the efficiency of National Single Window
	Actively connecting Single Window with ASEAN and non-ASEAN countries

Officers of Ta Lung Border Gate Customs Branch (Cao Bang Customs Department). Photo: T.B

Vietnam actively implements ASEAN Single Window

According to Deputy Director of the Information Technology and Customs Statistics Department Pham Duyen Phuong, Vietnam, as an active member of ASEAN, has participated in the implementation of the ASEAN Single Window during developing ideas, building legal framwork, and internalizing regional commitments until the system has been officially connected by 10 member states in 2020.

To develop the ASEAN Single Window, Vietnam has deployed the National Single Window since 2014 and became one of the first 5 member states to connect to the ASEAN Single Window in 2018.

As of April 30, 250 administrative procedures of 13 ministries and branches have been connected to the National Single Window with the participation of 70,538 businesses. Through the National Single Window, millions of administrative documents are processed electronically, contributing to reforming administrative procedures, and shortening customs clearance time and costs.

Regarding the ASEAN Single Window, Vietnam has officially recognized e-C/O Form D. Currently, the country connects and exchanges ASEAN customs declaration document (ACDD) with member states, and expects to exchange information with 8 member states (except Laos, which has not yet participated) before June 2024.

The achievement of implementing the ASEAN Single Window are an extremely important premise for Vietnam to officially connect and recognize e-C/O Form AK and Form VK within the framework of the ASEAN - Korea Free Trade Agreement and Vietnam - Korea Free Trade Agreement since July 2023.

Vietnam has connected and exchanged export customs declarations within the framework of the Vietnam - Eurasian Economic Union Free Trade Agreement, initially with the Federal Customs Service of Russia.

Currently, Vietnam expands C/O exchange negotiations with the Eurasian Economic Union, quarantine certificate with New Zealand, and information exchange with trade partners Japan, the US, and China...

Important implications for implementing Digital Customs

In the context that the Government pays great attention to digital transformation in Government agencies, developing digital society and digital economy, Deputy Director Pham Duyen Phuong emphasized that the implementation of the ASEAN Single Window is more meaningful.

On a macro level, the basic connotations of implementing the ASEAN Single Window are completely similar to the connotations of digital transformation. The paperless transactions are performed based on the legal framework on electronic transactions; digital data and electronic documents are connected and shared through a platform.

From the perspective of the Customs agency, the ASEAN Single Window is associated with the implementation of Digital Customs. First of all, in order to implement the ASEAN Single Window, it is necessary to fully implement the National Single Window. On the one hand, this will be an important source of digital data to improve the automation level of the customs clearance system, implement paperless customs procedures, and form a data warehouse on trade transactions and cross-border transportation of Vietnam.

On the other hand, the implementation of the National Single Window is also the process of forming, developing and perfecting the infrastructure and legal framework for e-transactions, and plays key role for the success of digital transformation in general and Digital Customs in particular.

When the data, infrastructure and legal framework are ready, Vietnam will be proactive in launching initiatives as well as participating in trade facilitation agreements based on paperless transactions, mutual recognition of electronic documents... , which not only implements with ASEAN but also expands to other trading partners.

In addition, when participating in the ASEAN Single Window, Vietnam will be shared information and data related to import and export transactions and cross-border transport documents by member states. This is an extremely valuable source of information for Government agencies to analyze, forecast, and identify risks that may affect national security, interests, and the community. The implementation of the ASEAN Single Window (including the full implementation of the National Single Window) is one of the important contents to ensure the success of the comprehensive implementation of digital Customs.