Vung Ang Customs makes great efforts in supporting enterprises to overcome difficulties

Officers of Vung Ang Seaport Customs Branch at work. Photo: H.N

Revenue plunges

According to Vung Ang Seaport Customs Branch, after the profound effect of Covid-19 pandemic, most local importers and exporters have suffered from difficulties when the market is unstable. The fluctuation of steel market has made operation of Hung Nghiep Formosa Ha Tinh Iron and Steel Co., Ltd. (Formosa Ha Tinh) face many difficulties.

According to the plan, Formosa Ha Tinh is expected to pay over VND9, 000 billion of import and export duty in 2023. However, Formosa Ha Tinh has only paid more than VND4, 600 billion. It is estimated that for the whole year of 2023, Formosa Ha Tinh will pay about more than VND6, 300 billion (reaching 70% of the estimate). Thus, the decrease in revenue from Formosa Ha Tinh affects the completion of targets of Vung Ang Seaport Customs Branch.

As of September 30, the branch processed 3,000 declarations, up 5%. The import and export turnover increased 9% year-on-year. Although the declarations and the turnover increased, the revenue dropped 27.9% compared with the previous year. Accordingly, the branch collected VND5,045 billion, meeting 48.5% of the estimate.

Speaking to Customs News, Mr. Dao Chi Thanh, Manager of Vung Ang Seaport Customs Branch said that the achieved revenue has not yet met the target, so the branch has overcome difficulties and provided solutions to increase revenue. In addition, the branch has focused on customs reform and modernization; tightened administrative discipline; and attracted enterprises to open declaration. Accordingly, the branch has attracted more eight enterprises to carry out customs procedures, increasing the number of enterprise involved in import and export activities at the branch to 54 enterprises.

The representative of Vietnam Global Transport Joint Stock Company (construction contractor of Vung Ang II Thermal Power Plant), to facilitate customs clearance for the company, the branch has arranged officers to perform even at night and weekend. Currently, the company has paid about VND300 billion of import duty. It is expected that upon completion, Vung Ang II Thermal Power Plant will pay about VND1,000 billion to the state budget from importing machinery and equipment for construction.

Actively implementing solutions

To achieve the revenue target in 2023, Mr. Dao Chi Thanh said that the branch has facilitated import and export activities, promptly resolved problems related to customs procedures, tax policy, tax administration, tax payment, tax refund, tax exemption …In addition, the branch has actively developed the Customs-Business partnership in many aspects such as providing information, supporting enterprises, consulting enterprises, supervising law compliance and coordination with the business community… These solutions have promptly supported enterprises.

Cargo ship loading and unloading at Son Duong port (Vung Ang economic zone). Photo: H. N

In addition, in the last month of the year, Vung Ang Seaport Customs Branch will focus on implementing solutions to facilitate import and export activities, actively reforming administrative procedures, expanding electronic customs procedures, and improving risk management capacity in targeting analysis and identification.

The branch has strengthened the tax management and collection; ensured accurate revenue collection to the State budget; focused on preventing revenue loss through checking taxable values, classifying and applying tax rates; promoted post-clearance audit; expedited customs control, prevention of smuggling and trade fraud…The branch has made great effort to reach the highest revenue and complete the target in 2023, Thanh said.

As the branch that implements legal policies in the field of customs in the seaport area, to execute the Project on promoting export activities associated with developing logistics services in Ha Tinh province in the period 2021-2025, Vung Ang Seaport Customs Branch will continue to conduct solutions on policy mechanisms, planning, attracting and accelerating the progress of investment projects, exporting supporting industrial products and processed agricultural products, logistics services associated with export; disseminate, guide and support businesses to effectively exploit advantages from FTAs that have taken effect. Proactively develop and implement specific budget collection plans in line with the actual situation. Regularly monitor business operations, firmly grasp revenue sources in the area, and focus on analysis, evaluation and forecast to identify potential revenues.