Vietnam Customs strengthens global partnerships

Vietnam Customs has been proactive in developing and submitting proposals for multi- and bilateral cooperation projects, programs, and topics for approval at various levels.

Specifically, in the third quarter of 2024, Vietnam Customs has continued to implement international cooperation and integration activities in a proactive and planned manner.

In bilateral cooperation, Vietnam Customs has exchanged and negotiated a draft Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation with US Customs within the framework of the Foreign Electronic Cargo Data Exchange Program (FECDEP); submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Finance for approval to sign an Agreement between Vietnam and Sri Lanka on cooperation and mutual assistance in customs matters;

Furthermore, Vietnam Customs has continued to finalize the draft dossier for submission to the Government for approval of the signing and authorization for the Minister of Finance to sign an Agreement on mutual administrative assistance in customs matters with Qatar; and has received and worked with the Dutch Customs Attaché on a plan to pilot the exchange of import-export goods information through selected seaports of Vietnam and the Netherlands…

Scene of the 243rd/244th Session of the Permanent Technical Committee (PTC) of the World Customs Organization (WCO). Photo: Thu Trang

In multilateral cooperation, Vietnam Customs has actively participated in full in meetings within the framework of cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the World Customs Organization (WCO), and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum to ensure Vietnam's interests.

Specifically, Vietnam Customs has actively participated in the ASEAN Customs Enforcement Cooperation (CEC) meeting; strengthened capacity for ASEAN Customs officials; the ASEAN Single Window Steering Committee; attended the 143rd/144th Session of the WCO Council; the 245th/246th Session of the Permanent Technical Committee of the WCO; the 2nd meeting of the Sub-Committee on Customs Procedures (SCCP) and the Customs-Business Dialogue in Peru.

Within the APEC forum, Vietnam Customs attended the 2nd meeting on customs issues within the framework of APEC Customs in 2024. In particular, the focus was on promoting the implementation of two major priorities of the SCCP Strategy for the period 2022-2025, namely strengthening the implementation of trade facilitation measures and improving the predictability and connectivity of supply chains.

In addition, Vietnam Customs has stepped up cooperation activities within the framework of various projects and programs. Specifically, it has participated in the Regional Initiative on Strengthening Law Enforcement Training in Indonesia; attended all sessions of the Negotiating Group on Customs Procedures and Trade Facilitation in the Free Trade Agreements: ASEAN-Canada, ASEAN-China (upgraded ACFTA), and the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (upgraded ATIGA).

In the fourth quarter of 2024, Vietnam Customs aims to continue organizing the first round of CMAA negotiations with Chinese Customs; implement procedures for signing the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) Action Plan with Chinese Customs during the official visit of high-ranking Chinese leaders to Vietnam.

In addition, Vietnam Customs will actively work with Korea and Japan to exchange the possibility of cooperation on IT systems to serve the development of the digital customs system, smart customs, and customs management activities at international airports.

At the same time, the Agreement between Vietnam and Sri Lanka on cooperation and mutual assistance in customs matters will be implemented after being approved by the Ministry of Finance; opinions of relevant ministries, agencies, and units will be sought to submit to the Government for approval of the signing and authorization for the Minister of Finance to sign the Agreement on mutual administrative assistance in customs matters between Vietnam and Qatar; attend the Border Customs Conference in Cambodia and the Vietnam-Cambodia and Vietnam-Laos Customs Directors-General Conference.

In multilateral cooperation, the General Department of Vietnam Customs aims to participate in meetings, cooperation programs, and membership obligations within the framework of cooperation with international organizations.

Specifically, as a member of the WCO, Vietnam Customs will actively participate in the meetings of the WCO's committees and working groups, participate in a number of important regional meetings; and develop a cooperation plan within the framework of the WCO for the period 2025-2030.

For ASEAN membership, Vietnam Customs sets out to effectively perform the role of chair of the Customs Coordinating Committee (CCC). In particular, as the host of ASEAN Customs and CCC, Vietnam Customs will develop a chairmanship plan, a plan for the participation of the Vietnamese Customs delegation at the 41st CCC meeting. At the same time, review the work of all technical groups before the meeting to ensure that Vietnam Customs completes the cooperation items according to the common schedule...

Notably, demonstrating the role of cooperation within the framework of projects and programs, Vietnam Customs will proactively cooperate with partners to fix errors in the Megaports system; implement procedures for receiving backup equipment for the Megaports system at Cai Mep and Cat Lai ports; and attend the working group meeting on new psychoactive substances...

In the work of negotiating and implementing international commitments, Vietnam Customs affirms that it will actively participate in the meetings of the Negotiating Group on Customs Procedures and Trade Facilitation in free trade agreements.