(VOVworld) – On September 8^th Vietnam officially implemented its national single-window customs system and technically integrated it with a similar system used by other ASEAN members. The system creates favorable conditions for international trade and transportation in preparation for the ASEAN Economic Community which will be established by the end of this year.

Officials pose for a photo before PM Nguyen Tan Dung (c) hit the symbolic button to launch the Vietnamese Single Window for customs clearance during a ceremony in Hanoi on September 8, 2015. (Photo: customs.gov.vn)

Last year Vietnam’s customs sector focused on reviewing and changing policies that are irrelevant to Vietnam’s practical developments and international practice.

The sector is speeding up the application of IT, and improving the effectiveness of its system management and the connection between sectors. Investment in equipment and personnel re-organization have been given high priority.

These efforts will save time and money for businesses. But the time needed to clear goods through customs has, on average, remained 21 days at seaports and land border crossings, longer than in Singapore, Malaysia, or Thailand.

The sector hopes to shorten the time spent on customs procedures to less than 10 working days for exports and 12 working days for imports by 2016. Those are the current rates for the ASEAN-4 (Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines).

Le Nhu Quynh, Deputy Director of the Customs Reform and Modernization Committee under the General Department of Customs, proposed three major solutions.

They are “first, we’ll implement a project to improve the effectiveness of inspections in specialized areas with a focus on perfecting mechanisms and policies and investing in infrastructure and human resources. Anything relating to international standards and practices will be implemented at five key border crossings and seaports – Hai Phong, Ho Chi Minh City, Lao Cai, Lang Son, and Quang Ninh. Second, the national single-window system and the ASEAN single-window system will be applied. Third, a modern customs clearance mechanism will be applied to risk management, post-clearance, and anti-smuggling.”

Customs procedures are implemented at a customs office in the Vung Ang Port, Ha Tinh Province. (Photo: VNA)

The national single-window system has connected the Ministries of Finance, Industry and Trade, and Transport and now level 4 customs procedures are being completed online nationwide. By the end of August, more than 1,900 businesses will have declared seaport procedures on the national IT portal, and more than 1,600 certificates of origin will have been handled online.

Deputy Finance Minister Do Hoang Anh Tuan said that “the Law on Customs has regulated the national single-window system and we have sent a circular to ministries asking them to apply IT to the tasks of issuing receipts, granting licenses, and checking goods quality. This has helped companies save time and now all they need is a customs declaration sheet.”

In the future, the national single-window system will continue to be expanded to connect the ministries of agriculture and rural development, natural resources and environment, health, science and technology, information and communications, and culture, sports, and tourism.

Vietnam is now connected to the ASEAN one-door system and is one of 7 ASEAN members to have completed a national single-window system as agreed.

This is a turning point for administrative reforms aimed at developing an e-government and a professional, modern, and efficient administration.

Deputy PM Vu Van Ninh pressed the button to connect the National Single Window in June.2015. (Photo: customs.gov.vn)

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Van Ninh said that “the national single-window system and the ASEAN one-door system are important solutions for simplifying administrative procedures in line with international standards and practices and for boosting trade, tourism, and investment. This illustrates Vietnam’s determination to be proactive in making the ASEAN Economic Community a reality by the end of this year.”