Promoting partnership with businesses is the commitment of the Da Nang customs industry towards the local business community in a bid to fulfil the dual goals of facilitating trade activities and ensure the State management of customs.

Representatives from businesses do transactions at the One-Stop-Shop site at the Da Nang Port chapter of the Da Nang Customs Department. Photo: M. QUE

As an exporter operating in Son Tra District-located Da Nang Industrial Park, Sinaran Vietnam Co., Ltd. has a scale of 650 workers specializing in manufacturing candles and incense for export to Japan and some other countries.

Head of Human Resources Department of the Sinaran Vietnam Co., Ltd. Mai Thi Thanh Huong said that during the COVID-19 resurgence in early May, a few businesses in Da Nang IP registered COVID-19 cases. However, the import-export activities and customs clearance of goods are still guaranteed by these enterprises which are guided via email or phone by the local customs authorities.

In addition to submitting certificates of origin (C/O) online, the time taken to submit C/Os has also been extended from 30 to 180 days.

Impressed by the great efforts of the customs authorities, the Da Nang Branch of the Time Cargo Logistic Co., Ltd in Hai Chau District sent a thank-you letter to the municipal Customs Department in mid-May.

The branch’s Director Dinh Nghi said that businesses have always highly appreciated the automatic clearance system that the local customs industry is implementing in an effective manner.

The stability of this highly effective system in operation has facilitated both businesses and customs agencies reduce the time and the costs of carrying out corporate customs procedures.

In particular, in light of the complicated COVID-19 resurgence, businesses have received enthusiastic support from the Da Nang Port chapter of the Da Nang Customs Department which has ensured the quick clearance of goods for businesses.

Head of Import-Export Department of Bac Trung Nam Seafood Joint Stock Company Dinh Thi Thuy Phuong said that, when empty container scarcity occurred, the customs unit provided businesses with the updates on pandemic situations at other countries and  the operation of freight transport journeys conducted by shipping lines so that enterprises can timely grasp and actively develop business plans.

Besides, enterprises themselves are often supported by customs agencies to quickly handle procedures in transporting containers out of the port.

In order to receive such positive reviews from the business community, over the past time, the municipal Customs Department has implemented many solutions to facilitate customs clearance.

In particular, the unit has continuously updated and publicly posted circulars, decrees, new documents, regulations, and new instructions on customs procedures at the head office where customs procedures are done and on the website of the municipal Customs Department, thus avoiding mistakes in the process of carrying out procedures.

Director of the municipal Customs Department Quach Dang Hoa said that the practical solution to support businesses is to shorten the time to handle administrative procedures.

Currently, the agency is committed to reducing the time set to grant permits to the import and temporary import of cars and motorcycles for non-commercial purposes from 7 to 3 days since the date of receipt of a complete dossier.

“The municipal Customs Department has suspended activities of inspection and assessment of compliance with the law amongst customs declarants such as checking the final settlement report and post-clearance inspection at the enterprise's headquarters in order to reduce the pressure for busineses in this tough time triggered by COVID-19”, affirmed Director of the municipal Customs Department Quach Dang Hoa.

Reporting by MAI QUE – Translating by A.T