Vietnam Customs Efficiency Improvement: Major driven factor of trade facilitation in 2016

Vietnam is one of the most Enabling Trade Index-improved countries in the Global Enabling Trade Report 2017 of World Economics Forum that is an annual international publication on trade facilitation and development.
vietnam customs efficiency improvement major driven factor of trade facilitation in 2016
Quang Ninh Customs.

This is a significant capacity to enable trade of Vietnam that resulted in climbing 14 ranks to position of 73rd among 136 countries in 2016. Together with a variety of international trade records, nowadays Vietnam is known as a successful story of trade liberalization and globalization (World Economics Forum, 2017).

The most contributed factor is border administration with strongly improved customs efficiency (now at 66th) which cut down times for documentary and border compliance for both exporting and importing approximately 30 hours (see table 1). These changes integrate a wide range of innovations and efforts of the Vietnam’s Government and Customs to reinforce multiple border agencies cooperation, streamline procedures and reduce burden of inspections at border gates.

Table 1: Time and costs of customs clearance for exporting and importing of Vietnam in 2015 and 2016

SEQ

Content

Unit per 01 shipment

2016

2015

1

Time of documentary compliance for exports

hour

50

83

2

Time of border compliance for exports

hour

58

57

3

Cost of documentary compliance for exports

USD

139

139

4

Cost of border compliance for exports

USD

309

309

5

Time of documentary compliance for imports

hour

76

106

6

Time of border compliance for imports

hour

62

64

7

Cost of documentary compliance for imports

USD

183

183

8

Cost of border compliance for imports

USD

392

268

(Source: World Bank, Doing business 2016 and 2017)

To be a key driven force in the WTO’ s Trade Facilitation Agreement negotiation and ratification of Vietnam (done on 15th December, 2015), the GDVC are substantially fostering harmonization, standardization and modernization which creates an achievement of moving up 16 ranks to 86th in the world.

In addition, the report points major bottlenecks and weakness of Vietnam in enabling and facilitating trade that requires this developing country to reduce sharply when TFA comes into force in early 2017. Inherently, burdensome customs procedures, tariff and non-tariff barriers, and corruption at the borders are top concerns of trade community in Vietnam. Furthermore, the OECD Trade Facilitation Indicators 2015 also revealed that Vietnam needs to focus on some principal milestones of trade facilitation which are involment of trade community; fees and charges; and external border agency cooperation.

Full report found here: https://www.weforum.org/focus/global-enabling-trade-report-2016?delete_local=40

By Phan Hien, Khanh Hong

Related News

Consulting on customs control for e-commerce imports and exports

Consulting on customs control for e-commerce imports and exports

VCN- The General Department of Vietnam Customs (GDVC) consults widely on the draft Decree regulating customs control for e-commerce imports and exports.
Customs administrations coordinate to seize nearly 20,000 endangered wildlife

Customs administrations coordinate to seize nearly 20,000 endangered wildlife

VCN – About 20,000 live animals, all endangered or protected species, have been seized in a global operation against wildlife and forestry trafficking networks, jointly coordinated by the World Customs Organization (WCO) and INTERPOL.
Import and export turnover reaches about US$29 billion in the second half of January 2025

Import and export turnover reaches about US$29 billion in the second half of January 2025

VCN - Vietnam's total import and export turnover in the second half of January 2025 (January 16-31, 2025) reached US$28.9 billion, the latest preliminary statistics of the General Department of Vietnam Customs reported.
Customs crackdown nets 1,430 violations in first month

Customs crackdown nets 1,430 violations in first month

VCN - In January 2025, the number of violations detected, seized, and processed by customs authorities increased by 9.6%, and the value of the illicit goods involved increased by 19.4% compared to the same period in 2024.

Latest News

Hai Phong Customs’ revenue rises about VND 1,000 billion

Hai Phong Customs’ revenue rises about VND 1,000 billion

VCN- In the first month of the year, Hai Phong Customs' revenue increased by nearly VND1,000 billion.
Administrative reform: Khanh Hoa Customs delivers impressive results

Administrative reform: Khanh Hoa Customs delivers impressive results

VCN - The Khanh Hoa Customs Department achieved a "good" ranking among the six vertical agencies in Khanh Hoa Province, with an administrative reform index of 91.28%.
GDVC sets goal of widely disseminating Customs policies

GDVC sets goal of widely disseminating Customs policies

VCN – The General Department of Vietnam Customs (GDVC) has issued a plan to disseminate and educate the law; and support and provide information in 2025.
Over 1,500 customs declarations processed by Hai Phong Customs during Tet

Over 1,500 customs declarations processed by Hai Phong Customs during Tet

VCN - Hai Phong Customs Department processed 1,547 customs declarations during the Tet holiday period

More News

Hai Phong Customs strives to perform tasks from the beginning of the year

Hai Phong Customs strives to perform tasks from the beginning of the year

VCN – Hai Phong Customs Department has actively and effectively implemented solutions to accomplish tasks and achieve targets.
Ho Chi Minh City: Foreign visitors spend more than VND1,500 billion to buy goods upon exit

Ho Chi Minh City: Foreign visitors spend more than VND1,500 billion to buy goods upon exit

VCN - According to the Ho Chi Minh City Customs Department, in 2024, the unit refunded VAT on goods that foreigners and oversea Vietnamese residents brought with them when leaving the country with a value of over VND1,540 billion.
3,500 customs declarations handled in Lang Son over Tet

3,500 customs declarations handled in Lang Son over Tet

VCN - During the 2025 Lunar New Year (Year of the Snake), Lang Son Customs Department processed nearly 3,500 customs declarations valued at over US$306 million.
Hai Phong Customs processes more than 1,500 declarations during 2025 Lunar New Year holiday

Hai Phong Customs processes more than 1,500 declarations during 2025 Lunar New Year holiday

VCN - During the 2025 Lunar New Year holiday, Hai Phong Customs Department processed 1,547 declarations.
US$10.5 million in trade flows through Binh Duong Customs during Tet  During the 2025 Lunar New Year

US$10.5 million in trade flows through Binh Duong Customs during Tet During the 2025 Lunar New Year

VCN - During the 2025 Lunar New Year holiday, the Binh Duong Customs Department arranged for staff to be on duty, ensuring quick and timely customs clearance, helping import and export businesses avoid interruptions and maintaining a smooth flow of goods.
Proactive customs measures for express parcels: Tightening control over import-export goods

Proactive customs measures for express parcels: Tightening control over import-export goods

VCN - International express delivery companies are the main entities responsible for handling import and export customs procedures on behalf of the recipients. The Express Customs Branch (HCM City Customs Department) has been proactive in introducing various measures to both promote trade and maintain strict control over import and export goods
Best covers of Vietnam Customs songs: 15 winners revealed

Best covers of Vietnam Customs songs: 15 winners revealed

VCN - The Vietnam Customs Youth Union has just officially revealed the 15 victorious pieces in the "Cover Songs about Vietnam Customs 2024" contest. These 15 prizes are divided into various categories, totaling approximately 100 million Vietnamese Dong in prize money
Vietnam Customs kicks off campaign for innovation, breakthrough, and growth

Vietnam Customs kicks off campaign for innovation, breakthrough, and growth

VCN - To concentrate on leadership, guidance, and vigorous implementation of goals, targets, and tasks towards the objectives of Digital Customs and Green Customs by 2025, the General Department of Vietnam Customs has launched a competition campaign with the theme: "Innovation - Breakthrough – Development”
Researching and proposing amendments to 2014 Customs Law to meet the requirements of innovation

Researching and proposing amendments to 2014 Customs Law to meet the requirements of innovation

VCN - After 10 years of implementation, the Customs Law has been effective in reforming administrative procedures and protecting national sovereignty. However, in the context of innovation requirements, it is necessary to continue reforming specialized inspections and focusing on digital transformation.
Read More

Your care

Latest Most read
Hai Phong Customs’ revenue rises about VND 1,000 billion

Hai Phong Customs’ revenue rises about VND 1,000 billion

VCN - Notably, the revenue in January increased by VND 883 billion (or 16.7%) compared to the same period in 2024.
Administrative reform: Khanh Hoa Customs delivers impressive results

Administrative reform: Khanh Hoa Customs delivers impressive results

The Khanh Hoa Customs Department achieved a "good" ranking among the six vertical agencies in Khanh Hoa Province, with an administrative reform index of 91.28%.
GDVC sets goal of widely disseminating Customs policies

GDVC sets goal of widely disseminating Customs policies

VCN - Additionally, the GDVC aims to unify the direction and coordination within and outside the industry on the dissemination and education of laws for customs officials; to support, and provision of information to relevant organizations and individuals.
Hai Phong Customs sets out 15 tasks to achieve the revenue target of VND 72,000 billion

Hai Phong Customs sets out 15 tasks to achieve the revenue target of VND 72,000 billion

VCN - In 2025, Hai Phong Customs Department is assigned to collect the revenue target of VND72,000 billion (under Decision No. 1524/QD-TTg dated December 6, 2024 of the Prime Minister).
Over 1,500 customs declarations processed by Hai Phong Customs during Tet

Over 1,500 customs declarations processed by Hai Phong Customs during Tet

Hai Phong Customs Department processed 1,547 customs declarations during the Tet holiday period
Mobile Version