HCM City Customs holds dialogue with US firms

Regarding post-clearance inspection, deputy chief of the department’s Management Inspection Office Nguyen Thanh Long said only firms with suspected activities and faulted goods declaration are subject to inspection, similarly to the situation in developed countries.

In addition, other agencies than the customs office will also conduct inspections after customs clearance, such as checking on food safety and hygiene.

Long suggested firms strictly abide by legal regulations on manufacturing and trade as well as export-import in order to face less inspection. 

A representative from Tan My group, which imports stainless steel to produce goods for export, said while the import of stainless steel is exempt from tax, the examination and analysis procedures take as long as 6 months, thus affecting the group’s production and prestige. 

Nguyen Quoc Toan from the department’s Export-Import Tax Office said stainless steel is subject to special examination due to its connection to anti-dumping tax, adding that the company’s suggestions will be submitted to the General Department of Vietnam Customs to make proper adjustments. 

Amcham Vice President Mark G.Gillin said the Ho Chi Minh City customs agency is the most active agency in the city in terms of administrative reform to improve business climate and promote trade with foreign countries, including the US. 

He wished that the department would update the US firms about customs regulations to facilitate bilateral trade.

Deputy Director of the department Dinh Ngoc Thang, for his part, pledged to cut unnecessary administrative procedures as part of support for businesses, including those from the US. 

He suggested the US firms actively join connectivity events and dialogues hosted by customs agencies to fully and promptly grasp the latest regulations as well as propose measures to modernise Vietnam’s customs activities and boost Vietnam-US trade in the near future.