VIETNAM CUSTOMS ADVANCING THREE PILLARS TOWARD SMART CUSTOMS BY 2030

Vietnam Customs aims to modernize its three core pillars including institutions, instruments and personnel to achieve smart customs by 2030.

Procedures need to be simple and harmonious

As per the Customs Reform and Modernization Board under the General Department of Vietnam Customs, the customs sector has embarked on a significant institutional reform. This includes simplifying and harmonizing customs procedures in accordance with the World Customs Organization (WCO) standards. This foundational shift paves the way for the redesign of customs procedures, inspection, and supervision, thereby meeting the prerequisites for the implementation of digital and smart customs models.

The focus is on constructing and refining a modern, synchronous, unified, and transparent legal system for customs that aligns with international commitments. This includes drafting a new Customs Law to replace the existing one, ensuring a comprehensive legal basis for the exercise of state management of customs. Concurrently, efforts are being made to build digital customs, smart customs, smart border, and green customs models, and to apply chain-based and identifier-based management methods uniformly.

The customs sector is also enhancing its customs management mechanisms, tailoring them to each subject, and encouraging customs declarants to comply with the law. There is a concerted effort to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of preventing and combating smuggling, trade fraud, and illegal transportation of goods across borders. This includes strengthening coordination with international and domestic organizations in customs control.

A key focus area is the application of information technology and modern technologies to state management of customs. This includes connecting and exchanging information with authorities, organizations, individuals, and businesses engaged in import and export activities.

Furthermore, customs agencies are continuously reviewing and proposing amendments to regulations on specialized management and inspection. This is aimed at reforming quality inspection and food safety inspection models for imported and exported goods.

New technological application

The customs industry is leveraging digital data to lay a robust foundation for the implementation of digital and smart customs. This initiative aims to provide high-quality, valuable data for online public services, ensure seamless data sharing between customs agencies and authorities, and offer open regulatory data. The goal is to foster the development of a digital ecosystem and advance digital customs.

In the face of ongoing and future modernization, the customs sector is poised to harness the power of Industry 4.0 technologies. These include the Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain, Artificial Intelligence (AI), big data, Business Intelligence (BI), cloud computing, and mobility.

The sector is committed to constructing a highly integrated, scalable information technology system that not only satisfies all security requirements but also possesses the capacity for expansion. This system will support the application of information technology across all professional operations within customs agencies.

Human resource development

At present, Vietnam Customs is concentrating its efforts on cultivating a competent workforce that is to implement contemporary customs management models.

The organization is committed to establishing and implementing a transparent recruitment mechanism that offers competitive remuneration, thereby attracting skilled personnel. Furthermore, it is developing a capacity-based human resource management model that is predicated on job positions and human resource development policies. This model will facilitate the centralized management of smart customs.

Vietnam Customs is also prioritizing the construction of an electronic human resource management system to fully automate human resource management procedures. It is investing in the development of modern facilities and the adoption of regional standard training management methods.

The organization is also focused on nurturing a team of lecturers with extensive expertise and knowledge in customs, as well as WCO-certified specialists who can participate in international training. This is part of its broader strategy to strengthen customs integrity. Lastly, Vietnam Customs recognizes the importance of cooperation and coordination in executing customs programs and solutions. It acknowledges the need for support from the WCO and customs authorities in developed countries to achieve its objectives.

Source: VCCI