The introduction of a new automated customs system in select localitiesearly this month has created problems for both officials andimport-export firms as some of them still fail to catch up with the newtechnology, according to local reports.
A report by Thoi Bao KinhTe Viet Nam (Vietnam Economic Times) said that the lack of uniformityin applying the Vietnam Automated Cargo and Port ConsolidatedSystem/Vietnam Customs Information System (VNACCS/VCIS) caused somedifficulties for customs offices and businesses who are struggling toget used to it.
The system has been introduced in 39 customsoffices in nine cities and provinces – Hanoi, Hai Phong, Da Nang, LangSon, Quang Ninh, Bac Ninh, Dong Nai, Binh Duong and Ba Ria-Vung Tau –and is scheduled for application nationwide from June 1.
Sincenot all localities are using the system at present, in-country exportfirms which have to submit papers to two customs offices – one that usesthe VNACCS/VCIS and the other which is yet to apply the new system -face trouble, the report said, citing the Customs Department of BinhPhuoc province.
Vu Ngoc Anh, Deputy General Director of GeneralDepartment of Vietnam Customs, has confirmed the non-synchronousapplication of VNACCS/VCIS and other issues.
He said that thecustoms sector was speeding up training courses for officers so thatthey would be better equipped to deal with problems that arise whenapplying the new system.
He said he expects the implementation to become smooth in the near future.
TheCustoms Department in Dong Nai province has said it has been confusedabout applying the new system for situations of in-country export-import– where goods made in Vietnam are sold to buyers in other countries butdelivered to enterprises within the country that have been appointed bythe buyers.
According to Circular 22/2014 on e-customsprocedures relating to commercially imported and exported goods as wellas procedures for implementing the VNACCS/VCIS system, in-country exportprocedures have to be completed before corresponding import procedures.
But according to Circular 196/2012, which is still valid, the import procedures have to be done before the export procedures.
TranQuoc Dinh, deputy head of the Customs Reform and ModernisationDepartment, said that procedures under Circular 22 are not thatcomplicated.
He said that all the in-country exporters have to dois to give details of when the goods will be taken from the source anddelivered to the firms authorised by foreign buyers.
Meanwhile,the Customs departments in Binh Duong and Long An provinces areconcerned about the regulation under which enterprises have to submitcustom declarations after they gather all goods to export/import ateither a border gate, sea port or storehouses certified by the customsdepartment.
The requirement has caused congestion at the storagefacilities, increasing costs and the time taken to carry goods to thesites and the customs departments' inspecting areas, officials said.
TheLong An Customs Department has requested detailed regulations thatclarify the term "certified storehouse" because the ambiguity has leftboth enterprises and customs officers confused.
The VNACCS/VCISsystem, installed at a cost of about 2.7 billion JPY (21.2 million USD),has been funded by the Japanese government.
The VietnamAutomated Cargo Clearance System funded by the Government of Japan wasofficially handed over to the General Customs Department on April 25.
The system was developed with official development assistance (ODA) of over 2.6 billion JPY (25.5 million USD).
Itallows trade and transport-related parties to declare information anddocuments just once at a single location to complete all legalrequirements concerning import, export and transit, thus greatlyreducing waiting time and avoiding complicated administrativeprocedures.
To date, the system has been used in 40 customsdepartments in 10 provinces and cities. It will be expanded to 34provincial customs departments in June, said Nguyen Ngoc Tuc, head ofthe general department.-VNA
A report by Thoi Bao KinhTe Viet Nam (Vietnam Economic Times) said that the lack of uniformityin applying the Vietnam Automated Cargo and Port ConsolidatedSystem/Vietnam Customs Information System (VNACCS/VCIS) caused somedifficulties for customs offices and businesses who are struggling toget used to it.
The system has been introduced in 39 customsoffices in nine cities and provinces – Hanoi, Hai Phong, Da Nang, LangSon, Quang Ninh, Bac Ninh, Dong Nai, Binh Duong and Ba Ria-Vung Tau –and is scheduled for application nationwide from June 1.
Sincenot all localities are using the system at present, in-country exportfirms which have to submit papers to two customs offices – one that usesthe VNACCS/VCIS and the other which is yet to apply the new system -face trouble, the report said, citing the Customs Department of BinhPhuoc province.
Vu Ngoc Anh, Deputy General Director of GeneralDepartment of Vietnam Customs, has confirmed the non-synchronousapplication of VNACCS/VCIS and other issues.
He said that thecustoms sector was speeding up training courses for officers so thatthey would be better equipped to deal with problems that arise whenapplying the new system.
He said he expects the implementation to become smooth in the near future.
TheCustoms Department in Dong Nai province has said it has been confusedabout applying the new system for situations of in-country export-import– where goods made in Vietnam are sold to buyers in other countries butdelivered to enterprises within the country that have been appointed bythe buyers.
According to Circular 22/2014 on e-customsprocedures relating to commercially imported and exported goods as wellas procedures for implementing the VNACCS/VCIS system, in-country exportprocedures have to be completed before corresponding import procedures.
But according to Circular 196/2012, which is still valid, the import procedures have to be done before the export procedures.
TranQuoc Dinh, deputy head of the Customs Reform and ModernisationDepartment, said that procedures under Circular 22 are not thatcomplicated.
He said that all the in-country exporters have to dois to give details of when the goods will be taken from the source anddelivered to the firms authorised by foreign buyers.
Meanwhile,the Customs departments in Binh Duong and Long An provinces areconcerned about the regulation under which enterprises have to submitcustom declarations after they gather all goods to export/import ateither a border gate, sea port or storehouses certified by the customsdepartment.
The requirement has caused congestion at the storagefacilities, increasing costs and the time taken to carry goods to thesites and the customs departments' inspecting areas, officials said.
TheLong An Customs Department has requested detailed regulations thatclarify the term "certified storehouse" because the ambiguity has leftboth enterprises and customs officers confused.
The VNACCS/VCISsystem, installed at a cost of about 2.7 billion JPY (21.2 million USD),has been funded by the Japanese government.
The VietnamAutomated Cargo Clearance System funded by the Government of Japan wasofficially handed over to the General Customs Department on April 25.
The system was developed with official development assistance (ODA) of over 2.6 billion JPY (25.5 million USD).
Itallows trade and transport-related parties to declare information anddocuments just once at a single location to complete all legalrequirements concerning import, export and transit, thus greatlyreducing waiting time and avoiding complicated administrativeprocedures.
To date, the system has been used in 40 customsdepartments in 10 provinces and cities. It will be expanded to 34provincial customs departments in June, said Nguyen Ngoc Tuc, head ofthe general department.-VNA
