The country’s electronic customs network will be expanded to five provinces and two additional cities this year, an official from the General Department of Customs has said.
The country’s customs procedures must be aligned with international and regional norms, Le Van Ninh, head of the department’s reform division, said during a meeting organised by the department and the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry in HCM City yesterday, July 13.

The country’s customs procedures must be aligned with international and regional norms, Le Van Ninh, head of the department’s reform division, said during a meeting organised by the department and the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry in HCM City yesterday, July 13.

E-customs will be available in Ha Noi and Da Nang and the provinces of Dong Nai, Binh Duong, Lang Son, and Ba Ria-Vung Tau.

In 2005, a trial e-customs system began in HCM City and Hai Phong, resulting in time and money savings. As a result, more than 297 companies now use e-customs in HCM City.

The Government began the e-customs effort in the two cities to reduce corruption among customs officials and to minimise time spent on customs procedures for companies.

The new service allows businesses to file online applications and track the progress of customs clearance.

Ninh said many companies had not invested in computers to make use of the services.

Le Quang Hoai, an official with the Customs’ statistics department, said the sector would upgrade IT infrastructure, broadband speed and software to enhance network stability and security.

Training customs staff and businesses in using e-customs would be another priority, he added.

To help businesses, the e-customs network will be linked to the State treasury, banks and tax offices.

During the meeting, the Thai Son Technology Development Company conducted an installation of ECUS e-customs software and instructed companies in how to use it.