VietNam Customs gives ideas for trade facilitation at SCCP APEC meeting

	The first meeting of APEC Sub-Committee on Customs Procedures 2017 in Nha Trang, 21-23/2/2017
	Vietnam Customs ready for APEC 2017
	Vietnam sees strong FDI flows from APEC partners

VietNam Customs has given many ideas for trade facilitation at SCCP APEC meeting on 21st February 2017. Photo: Hoang Anh.

Accordingly, 18/21 member economies notified their ratification of WTO trade faciliation agreement (TFA), including Hong Kong, China; Singapore; United States of America; Malaysia; Japan; Australia; Korea; Chinese Taipei; China; New Zealand; Thailand; Viet Nam; Russian Federation; Peru; Mexico; Philippines; Chile; Canada.

Ealier, after 9^th Ministerial Conference in Bali from 3 to 6 December 2013, SCCP APEC adopted issues as follows:

- Legal review of the text

- Development of Action Plan

- Proposal on the Establishment of National Committee on Trade facilitation. (Using the existing National Single Window Steering Committee).

Then, the National Assembly of Vietnam ratified Protocol of Amendment on 26^th November 2015 and Viet Nam notified WTO by the MC 10 in Nairobi.

Achievements

Vietnam amended Customs Law in 2014 (entry into force from the first of 2015). Also, VNACCS/VCIS System (automated customs clearance system) – official started from 4/2015. Then, the National Single Window (2014-2015) connected with 9 border agencies and the ASEAN Single Window (8/2015) connected with 4 ASEAN economies ( Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia).

Vietnam Customs has conducted application of International standards such as Customs-Business Partnership, Post Clearance Audit, Risk Management, AEO, Advance Rulings. Moreover, Vietnam Customs has implemented specialized inspections at the border has resulted to the reduction in clearance time to 3-5 days.

At the early stage of Vietnam Trade Information Portal (under WB’s support); Vietnam has conducted the operation of the 389 National Steering Committee on anti-smuggling, commercial frauds and counterfeit goods and operation of Commanding Center to facilitate goods movements and improve the customs integrity.

In addition, Vietnam Customs has conducted application of 5E (clearance, payment, C/O, manifest and Permit and used 13 X-ray Scanners.

TFA implementation in Vietnam

Vietnam Customs established the National Committee on Trade facilitation. (Using the existing National Single Window Steering Committee) in October, 2016. The National Action Plan to implement the TFA was issued by our Prime Minister (in November, 2016). Besides, Vietnam Customs has developed the roadmap for the indicative dates for the implementation of B and C categories.

Vietnam Customs has also cooperated with international and bilateral donors (WB, USAIDS, WCO…) to implement the B, C commitments such as the National Trade Portal under the support of WB.

National commitment of TFA in Vietnam

On 4th October, 2016, the National Steering Committee on ASEAN Single Window, National Single Window and Trade Facilitation (NSCASNSWTF) was established under the Decision No. 1899/2016/QD-TTg. This new Committee extended their tasks from only Single Window to Trade Facilitation more.

At the end of 2016, the Committee had the first meeting in the General Department of Viet Nam. Under the Decision No. 1899/2016/QD-TTg, the Tasks, Members, Operation Mechanism, report regime, costs for operation were also mentioned.

Now, the National Action Plan to implement WTO TFA is one part among the Master Plan of the Committee.

Step forward

NTFC should operate effectively and efficiently through the Action plans on TF, Logistics, notify B and C commitments; seek for new TACB; enhance the cooperation with other Customs Administrations to implement the TFA; and implement this TFA in relation with other FTAs.

NTFC should also cooperate closely with 389 Committee to enhance the anti-smuggling toward the effectiveness of the TF and vice versa.

Welcome Speech from Director General of Vietnam Customs, Mr. Nguyen Van Can at SCCP 1 in Nha Trang, 21-23/2/2017 On behalf of Vietnam Customs, I would like to warmly welcome all representatives and customs colleagues from ...

In addition, NTFC will provide training and capacity building for staff to meet the requirements of commitments in TFA and FTAs especially the experts on each specialized technique.