Summary of Notable Documents in the Past Week

1. Many New Points in Customs Dossier When Performing Customs Procedures

Circular 39/2018/TT-BTC amends Circular 38/2015/TT-BTC regarding customs procedures with many new points. Notably, the export goods dossier components when performing customs procedures include additional documents such as:

- 01 copy of the Commercial Invoice or equivalent document in cases where the buyer must pay the seller;- 01 original of the Forest Products List for exported wood materials as per the regulations of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development;- 01 copy of the document proving that the organization or individual is eligible to export goods when handling the first export consignment;- 01 copy of the Entrusted Contract in cases of entrusted export for goods subject to export licensing, specialized inspection certificates, or documents proving that the organization or individual is eligible to export goods.

Circular 39/2018/TT-BTC takes effect from June 05, 2018, and abolishes many articles of Circular 38/2015/TT-BTC.

1. Cases Not Required to Submit Certificates of Origin

On April 20, 2018, the Ministry of Finance issued Circular 38/2018/TT-BTC detailing the determination of the origin of exported and imported goods, effective from June 05, 2018.

Circular 38 clarifies 03 cases exempt from submitting certificates of origin for goods, including:

- Exported goods.- Imported goods not subject to submission of certificates of origin to customs authorities (as stipulated in Article 4 of Circular 38);- Imported goods eligible for certificate of origin exemption under international treaties to which Vietnam is a member.

For goods not required to submit certificates of origin but for which the customs declarant requests to submit the certificates of origin at the time of customs clearance, customs authorities shall receive and check the certificates of origin accordingly.

1. Neighborhood Watch Teams Equipped with 05 Types of Support Tools

The Ministry of Public Security issued Circular 17/2018/TT-BCA regulating the provision of weapons, explosives, and support tools to certain subjects. Specifically:

- Neighborhood Watch Teams are equipped with 05 types of tools such as electric batons, rubber batons, metal batons, bulletproof vests, and knife-resistant gloves;- Clubs, training, and sports facilities with operational permits can be equipped with 03 types of support tools such as electric batons, rubber batons, and metal batons;- Security forces of agencies, organizations, businesses, and security service providers can be considered for equipping 05 types of support tools such as electric batons, metal batons, rubber batons, bulletproof vests, and knife-resistant gloves;- Security forces at banks, hospitals, economic zones, industrial zones, etc., can be considered for additional equipment such as electric guns, explosive-bullet guns, rubber guns, tear gas guns, and ammunition for these types of guns, as well as tear gas spray devices.

For more details, refer to Circular 17/2018/TT-BCA effective from July 01, 2018.

1. Standards for Using Automobiles According to Titles in the Army and Police

The Government of Vietnam issued Decree 85/2018/ND-CP regulating the standards and norms of automobile usage at People’s Armed Forces units.

The officers with the highest military ranks are entitled to use automobiles according to the following standards:

- For Generals: Regular use of 01 automobile during the working period, with the type and purchase price of the vehicle decided by the Prime Minister based on the actual situation;- For Senior Lieutenant Generals, Navy Admirals: Regular use of 01 automobile during the working period with a maximum purchase price of 1,100 million VND per vehicle;- For Lieutenant Generals, Navy Vice Admirals: Regular use of 01 automobile during the working period with a maximum purchase price of 920 million VND per vehicle;- For Major Generals, Navy Rear Admirals: Use of automobiles for transportation from residence to workplace and business trips with a maximum purchase price of 820 million VND per vehicle.

For more details, refer to Decree 85/2018/ND-CP effective from July 15, 2018, which concurrently abolishes Decision 161/2008/QD-TTg and Decision 40/2014/QD-TTg.

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