Solutions to support enterprises submitting C/O affected by Covid-19 pandemic

Customs authorities is proposing solutions to remove difficulties on C/O submission due to Covid-19 pandemic. Photo: N.Linh

This was one solution proposed by General Department of Vietnam Customs in the draft to remove difficulties for enterprises in submitting C/O.

Many enterprises suggested extending the time of additional submission of C/O and submitting scanned file of C/O (PDF format) to get special prefferential tariffs in accordance with regulations due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The General Department of Vietnam Customs said that based on current regulations, the practical situation and Directives 11/CT-TTg dated March 4, 2020 of the Prime Minister, the solutions in the draft aimed to facilitate enterprises.

For submitting C/O to enjoy special preferential tariff rates, it was recommended to apply the time of submission of C/O during the pandemic for forms of C/O within the validity period of C/O, this guidance complied with provisions of international commitments. This recommendation was based on Directive No. 11/CT-TTg dated March 4, 2020, Directive No. 02/CT-BTC dated March 13, 2020 on urgent tasks and solutions to remove difficulties for production, based on the competence of the Ministry of Finance specified in Article 27, Customs Law and Article 32 of Decree 31/2018/ND-CP.

For submitting C/O to implementing cargo clearance, the General Department of Vietnam Customs proposed allowing enterprises to submit scanned files of C/O (PDF format) when carrying out customs procedures.

For searching and comparing electronic C/O on the system for forms of C/O, the General Department of Vietnam Customs said that based on the proposal of Indonesia and India about officially granting C/Os using seals and electronic signatures (affixed signatures and seals), customs authorities could check the information on C/O through accessing the website of the authority granting C/O of Indonesia and India.

Therefore, the General Department of Vietnam Customs proposed accepting C/O form D, AI forms using seals and electronic signatures from April 1st, 2020 if it can be searched for information related to C/O on the website of competent authorities granting the C/O as a basis for application of preferential tariff rates.

This content would be applied to other forms of C/O if it complied with international commitments and customs authorities can check the validity of C/O on the websites of competent authorities granting C/O. Customs authorities would accept C/O using stamps and electronic signatures after receiving and official notice from the authorities granting C/O.

This proposal is being submitted to leader of Ministry of Finance for consultation for the Ministry of Industry and Trade toward the formulation of circular amending and supplementing Circular No. 38/2018/TT-BTC and Circular No. 62/2019/TT-BTC stipulating the origin of imported and exported goods.