Practical experience gained from supporting enterprises in customs law compliance

	Information collection will decide the results of compliance assessment
	Strengthen inspection and assessment of customs law compliance

Hon Gai Seaport Customs Branch (Quang Ninh Customs Department) awards Certificates to firms participating the program.

Helping businesses improve compliance levels

According to the Risk Management Department (under General Department of Vietnam Customs), through the implementation of Pilot Program to support and encourage enterprises to voluntarily comply with customs law (under Decision 1399/QD - TCHQ), from July 15, 2022, the Customs has signed memorandums of understanding with 213 businesses. In 2023, local customs departments have signed contracts with 62 businesses (an increase of 40% compared to 2022).

During the implementation process, the Customs has received a lot of positive feedback from the business community about the practical benefits of participating in the Program, improving awareness of enterprises for compliance with the law.

To recognize the coordination and cooperation of businesses during participating the program, the GDVC awarded anniversary medals to top 10 enterprises for their active participation and contribution in the “Pilot Program to support and encourage enterprises to voluntarily comply with customs law”. The rate of their goods subject to inspection through scanners has decreased significantly. Specifically, the Green channel declaration rate increases by an average of about 6%, the Yellow channel declaration rate decreases by an average of 4%, and the Red channel declaration rate drops an average of about 2%. This result has helped businesses reduce costs and shorten customs clearance time.

Through analyzing and evaluating operations of typical businesses and upgraded compliance level businesses after participating in the Program, local customs departments have gained practical experience.

To upgrade the level of law compliance by enterprises and monitor the support by the Customs during the implementation of the program, some local customs departments has based on the plan and actual operation in enterprises and the departments to perform appropriate solutions. The customs departments have strengthened publicity to the businesses with high compliance levels and low risk levels to reduce the rate of Yellow and Red channel declarations and screening inspection.

Customs Departments of Bac Ninh, Quang Ninh, Binh Duong, Dong Nai have actively reviewed the fee arrears and notified enterprises to complete the fee payment, thereby improving the compliance level by businesses.

Binh Duong Customs Department has based on operation of enterprises and notified the number of declarations that need to be maintained or reached to keep the high compliance level or improved the level.

In fact, all local customs departments have received and promptly supported and handled problems of enterprises participating the program. In addition, the departments have reviewed records of enterprises, collected and updated information into the Customs system, especially proactively exchanging information that affects the compliance level of enterprises for them to implement. The departments have monitored the operation and compliance level of member businesses, thereby providing appropriate warnings in line with the actual operations.

Benefits for businesses

According to the Risk Management Department, currently, the enterprises have understood the purpose, meaning and support measures within the framework of the Program, and cooperated with the Customs. At the time, the enterprises have fully understood their benefits and responsibilities when participating in the Program. Based on the support measures and recommendations of the Customs, each enterprise has actively controlled and improved import and export activities to proactively prevent violations. This is a decisive factor to enhance the compliance level of the customs law.

During the process of implementing customs procedures, most businesses have contacted and coordinated with focal points of the program at all levels to promptly receive advice and support on procedures and problems to limit violations.

According to Deputy General Director of Central Pharmaceutical Joint Stock Company 2, Dao Van Dai, since participating in the program, the company has been always supported from the Customs. Currently, the company has periodically received official dispatches from the customs on the implementation of customs procedures for import and export goods..., so the company has updated new documents and policies, as well as specific regulations to limiting errors.

Ms. Pham Huong Giang, Head of Logistics Department of Thai Tan Trading and Transport Co., Ltd. said that since signing and participating in the Program at Hai Phong Customs Department in October 2022, the company has been supported and instructed by Hai Phong Customs Department, so the company has many advantages in carrying out import and export procedures.