CUSTOMS REVENUE FROM IMPORTS AND EXPORTS UP 17.4%

Vietnam’s budget revenue from import-export activities reached VND352.766 trillion (US$13.568 billion) in the first eight months of 2026, up 17.4% from the same period in 2025. Alongside the growth in goods trade, the customs sector is accelerating administrative reforms, digital transformation and risk control to facilitate businesses while securing revenue.

Director General of Vietnam Customs Nguyen Van Tho chairs the conference to review August performance and outline tasks for the coming period

Reforming Procedures to Sustain Revenue

According to the Customs Department, Vietnam’s total import-export turnover in the first eight months of 2026 reached US$770.14 billion, up 28.7% from the same period last year. Of this, exports reached US$374.84 billion, up 22.4%, while imports reached US$395.3 billion, up 35.3%. The goods trade balance recorded a deficit of US$20.46 billion.

Against the backdrop of strong trade growth, revenue from import-export activities also continued to rise. From the beginning of the year through August, revenue reached VND352.766 trillion (US$13.568 billion), equivalent to 78.2% of the assigned target of VND451 trillion (US$17.346 billion) and 68.3% of the target of VND516.5 trillion (US$19.865 billion). Compared with the same period in 2025, revenue increased by VND52.308 trillion (US$2.012 billion), or 17.4%.

On average, the customs sector collected around VND44.096 trillion (US$1.696 billion) per month in budget revenue from import-export activities. This result partly reflects the expansion of trade flows, with total import-export turnover surpassing US$770 billion after just eight months.

To sustain revenue while supporting businesses, administrative reform continues to be an important task for the customs sector. In August, the Customs Department reduced and simplified 35 of 39 administrative procedures under the plan and implemented an additional 13 procedures, reaching 123.1% of the target. The plan to cut 16 business conditions was also revised for inclusion in a government resolution, reaching 100% of the target.

Reducing procedures and shortening processing times not only helps businesses lower compliance costs but also speeds up the movement of goods. As import-export activities expand, these efforts also provide an important foundation for sustaining and increasing budget revenue over the long term.

Digital Transformation and Risk Management to Secure Revenue

Alongside administrative reform, digital transformation is becoming an increasingly important tool in the customs sector’s management approach. The VNACCS/VCIS system and related satellite systems continue to operate stably and securely 24/7, ensuring smooth customs clearance.

From January 1 to August 20, 2026, the Customs Department received more than 85.73 million declarations, of which more than 85.71 million were submitted online. Customs authorities are also preparing information technology systems and technical infrastructure to pilot authentication of customs declarants for low-value goods through connections with the national population database and VNeID.

These are concrete steps in implementing Resolution 57-NQ/TW of the Politburo on the development of science and technology, innovation and national digital transformation. For the customs sector, digital transformation is no longer limited to moving procedures online but aims to fundamentally change the management approach, shifting from manual processing to data-based management, automation and risk analysis.

Actual channeling from July 15 to August 14 showed that 2.16 million declarations were channeled, with the Green Channel accounting for 71.51%, the Yellow Channel 26.39% and the Red Channel 2.1%. Through risk management, the sector detected 952 violating declarations through channeling and shifted them to inspection channels. This approach allows customs authorities to focus resources on shipments, businesses and sectors with higher risk levels rather than conducting broad manual inspections. As a result, most compliant trade activities are facilitated, while abnormal signs remain under control.

Notably, in implementing Resolution 57-NQ/TW, the customs sector is focusing on foundational projects such as the information technology system for Digital Customs, expansion of the National Single Window Portal and connection to the ASEAN Single Window in Phase 3. Connecting VNeID with customs systems to authenticate declarants for low-value goods also shows that digital transformation is being integrated into specific stages of customs operations.

Data-based management is therefore expected not only to speed up customs clearance but also to improve the ability to identify risks related to fraud, incorrect HS codes, declared values, origins and goods policies, all of which directly affect budget revenue.

In addition, post-clearance audits continue to be intensified. From December 15, 2025 to August 14, 2026, the sector issued 1,109 post-clearance audit decisions and completed 875 audits. Total assessed tax and penalties reached VND4.7818 trillion (US$183.9 million), equivalent to 120% of the target assigned for all of 2026. Actual budget collections reached VND3.47059 trillion (US$133.5 million), equivalent to 87% of the annual target of VND4 trillion (US$153.8 million). Areas subject to focused inspections included high-risk areas such as goods origin, intellectual property, HS codes, valuation and goods policies. Strengthening post-clearance audits helps promptly detect violations, prevent revenue losses and ensure fair competition among businesses.

In the final months of the year, Director General of the Department of Vietnam Customs Nguyen Van Tho requested that the entire sector continue to closely pursue budget revenue targets while strengthening efforts to prevent revenue losses, trade fraud, transfer pricing, tax evasion and violations of customs laws. This will be accompanied by continued efforts to reduce and simplify administrative procedures, speed up customs clearance and improve risk management.

After eight months, revenue of VND352.766 trillion (US$13.568 billion) had reached 78.2% of the annual target. To achieve the VND451 trillion (US$17.346 billion) target, the customs sector needs to collect approximately VND98.234 trillion (US$3.778 billion) more in the final four months of the year, equivalent to nearly VND24.559 trillion (US$944.6 million) per month. This puts considerable pressure on the sector, particularly as revenue remains dependent on developments in import-export activities.

Against this backdrop, accelerating implementation of Resolution 57-NQ/TW is particularly significant for the customs sector. As data becomes connected, procedures are digitized and management shifts further toward risk analysis, customs authorities gain additional tools to facilitate trade while maintaining tight control over areas at risk of revenue losses. This will provide an important foundation for the customs sector to improve management efficiency, protect revenue and work toward building a modern, digitalized and transparent customs system in the years ahead.

Source: VCCI