Vietnam Customs - a committed member of ASEAN Customs community

Overview of the 23rd ASEAN Customs General Directors' Conference hosted by Vietnam Customs in 2014

Efforts to affirm prestige and position

According to the International Cooperation Department - General Department of Vietnam Customs, Vietnam Customs' position in ASEAN has been gradually enhanced through the introduction of ASEAN cooperation and integration initiatives that have been recognized by the ASEAN Customs community. In particular, there have been proposals to change the operating mechanism to bring about greater efficiency and transparency.

Evidence of this is that in 1995, Vietnam hosted the ASEAN Customs Directors-General Meeting for the first time - a significant milestone for Vietnam Customs in its relations with the ASEAN Customs community. In 2004, the 12th ASEAN Customs General Directors Conference was held in Hanoi, marking Vietnam Customs' initial approach to international customs and the beginning of a new development phase in the direction of modernization. In June 2014, in Da Lat, Vietnam Customs again hosted and successfully organized the 23rd ASEAN Customs Directors-General Meeting, further affirming Vietnam Customs' position in international cooperation and customs modernization.

Besides participating in the development and implementation of ASEAN Customs Development Plans and Strategies (SPCD); the ASEAN Single Window (ASW); the ASEAN Customs Transit Mechanism (ACTS); the New ASEAN Customs Agreement; the development and review of the ASEAN Harmonized Tariff Schedule (AHTN) on the updated HS version... Vietnam Customs also actively participates in cooperation programs with ASEAN dialogue and partner countries such as China, Korea, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and the US in supporting technical assistance for customs.

Typically, in 2023, Vietnam Customs has completed and implemented the AHTN List; implemented ACTS; signed and implemented the ASEAN Mutual Recognition Agreement for Authorized Enterprises (AAMRA); exchanged information on ASEAN Customs Declarations (ACDD) and electronic phytosanitary certificates (e-phyto) through ASW. In addition, Vietnam Customs took the lead in coordinating with the Australian Customs and Border Protection Agency to successfully organize the 6th Joint Customs Management Middle Management Program (JCMMP) in October 2023.

Also in 2023, in its role as Chair of the negotiations on the "Customs Procedures and Trade Facilitation Chapter of the ASEAN-Canada Agreement, Vietnam Customs has fulfilled the objectives set out by the Negotiating Commission. In its role as a member, Vietnam Customs has actively participated in the negotiations to upgrade the ASEAN-China, ATIGA agreements, and has initially begun negotiations to upgrade the ASEAN-India Goods Trade Agreement.

According to statistics from the General Department of Vietnam Customs, on September 8, 2015, Vietnam officially implemented the National Single Window (NSW) and technical connection to ASW. As of May 15, 2024, the NSW has connected 250 administrative procedures of 13 ministries and sectors with the participation of over 70,800 enterprises.

A representative of the International Cooperation Department said that the results achieved in customs cooperation are aimed at protecting economic interests and preventing and combating customs violations, facilitating trade, investment and movement between Vietnam and other countries, and at the same time taking advantage of technical assistance, equipment, etc. to serve the process of customs reform and modernization.

Promoting customs reform and modernization

In line with the current global trend of integration and development, ASEAN always has timely solutions to encourage member countries to maximize the facilitation of legitimate trade through enhanced customs cooperation. Currently, ASEAN member countries are striving to apply modern customs management techniques, especially the standards set out in the Revised Kyoto Convention with the aim of reducing cargo clearance time to between 1 and 6 hours depending on the conditions of each country.

In particular, in 2024, Vietnam Customs will undertake the role of Chair in hosting the 33rd ASEAN Customs Directors-General Meeting. In its role as Chair, Vietnam Customs will actively promote and play a connecting role between member countries to continue to implement and complete important ASEAN customs cooperation initiatives.

Vietnam Customs has a consensus and unified view and supports ASEAN customs cooperation initiatives in general to simplify customs procedures, facilitate trade and enhance customs control efficiency according to international standards and practices.

Therefore, Vietnam Customs will continue to consult and cooperate on technical assistance with partners such as Australia, China, Japan, Korea, the EU-ABC and US-ABC Business Councils in some priority areas including Authorized Enterprises, Digital Customs, Smart Customs models...

In addition, in 2024, Vietnam Customs will also strengthen bilateral and multilateral cooperation activities; focusing on cooperation in exchanging professional information. Along with that, it will continue to fully fulfill its rights, obligations and interests in the World Customs Organization (WCO), ASEAN, APEC, ASEM, and GMS; ensure the progress of implementation of commitments in the World Trade Organization (WTO), ASEAN, WCO and with partners that have signed Free Trade Agreements; continue to play an active member role in WCO, ASEAN, APEC, ASEM through the initiative, coordination, participation in programs, projects, and activities of the organization, proactively proposing initiatives to connect cooperation with the customs of other countries.