Prime Minister's request regarding the promotion of digital transformation in the customs sector in Vietnam

Prime Minister's request regarding the promotion of digital transformation in the customs sector in Vietnam (Internet image) 

On April 17, 2024, the Prime Minister issued Official Dispatch 245/TTg-KTTH on promoting digital transformation in the customs sector in Vietnam.

Prime Minister's request regarding the promotion of digital transformation in the customs sector in Vietnam 

In the context of increasing globalization and the growth of e-commerce, digital transformation in the customs sector plays a crucial role. In recent times, the Government and the Prime Minister have issued numerous directives on digital transformation in the customs sector; the Ministry of Finance and the General Department of Customs have been actively involved in directing and implementing measures to support people and businesses, continuously improving the efficiency and transparency of customs operations and import-export management.

However, it is predicted that the global situation will continue to be complex and unpredictable in the coming time, and there are still difficulties in domestic production and business activities. In order to further enhance the effectiveness of digital transformation in the customs sector, contribute to promoting import-export, cost savings, and create more favorable conditions for people and businesses, as well as strengthen the effectiveness of state management in the customs sector, the Prime Minister requests:

(1) Ministry of Finance and General Department of Customs to:

- Review and improve policies and laws, upgrade the information technology system towards digitizing customs documents in the implementation of customs procedures for export and import goods; export and import transport vehicles, gradually remove the requirement for customs declarants to submit paper documents in the customs dossier when completing customs procedures.

- Review and improve the legal framework related to licensing and specialized inspection for export and import goods in order to timely detect issues and shortcomings and propose amendments to competent authorities; promote reform and application of information technology, data sharing with customs authorities to facilitate customs clearance of goods.

- Ensure the provision of modern equipment for customs modernization, customs control, and supervision at border gates, seaports, restrict contact between people, businesses, and customs authorities in accordance with legal regulations.

- Enhance cooperation and exchange of customs data with countries in the region and the world, especially strategic trading partners with large import-export turnover, to facilitate the export of Vietnamese goods to these countries and vice versa.

- Regularly organize dialogues, resolve difficulties, and evaluate the satisfaction of people and businesses when implementing administrative procedures at all levels of customs authorities; timely inspect, rectify, and handle violations of law by customs units and officials that cause inconvenience, harassment, and unresolved issues, leading to prolonged difficulties without proposing recommendations for competent authorities to resolve.

(2) Ministries and agencies under the Government's authority and responsibilities to review administrative procedures related to specialized inspections and licensing for export and import goods to carry out amendments, or propose amendments, supplements, and replacements to be implemented in 2024: strictly apply the principle of risk management, mutual recognition in inspection activities; reduce the proportion of sampled batches for analysis and inspection; unify the principle that one commodity is managed and inspected by one responsible unit.

(3) The Ministry of Finance to proactively coordinate with the Ministry of Public Security to implement Decision 06/QD-TTg dated January 6, 2022, of the Prime Minister approving the plan to develop data applications on population, identification, and electronic authentication to serve the national digital transformation phase 2022–2025, vision to 2030, quickly digitize import-export procedures across borders, and build smart border gates to reduce administrative procedures and compliance costs for people and businesses.

(4) People's Committees of border provinces to:

Develop a comprehensive plan for the border gate area based on the approved planning decisions for land border gates on Vietnam's land borders with China, Laos, and Cambodia to arrange joint control areas, workplaces for functional forces at border gates, locations for inspection, and supervision of import-export goods to modernize the management of specialized sectors and commercial and logistics activities at border gates; prevent congestion of goods and vehicles; and maintain order, safety, and security in the area.

(5) Ministries, ministerial agencies, government agencies, and People's Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities, in accordance with their functions and tasks assigned, to continue implementing the tasks and solutions outlined in Decision 628/QD-TTg dated May 20, 2022, approved by the Prime Minister, on the Customs Development Strategy until 2030 in order to proactively carry out appropriate, timely, and effective measures within their jurisdiction and legal regulations; especially to enhance the effectiveness of digital transformation in the customs sector to serve the people and businesses, facilitate trade and tourism activities, create a transparent and fair import-export environment, contributing to enhancing national competitiveness, combating smuggling, commercial fraud, and illegal transportation of goods across borders, ensuring social order and protecting national sovereignty; to promptly propose and report to the Prime Minister any issues that exceed their authority.

More details can be found in Official Dispatch 245/TTg-KTTH, dated April 17, 2024.

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