New customs system troubles firms, authorities alike
New customs system troubles firms, authorities alike
Although expected to help simplify customs clearance procedures, VNACCS/VCIS has proved confusing for both firms and customs authorities.
Deputy director of the customs department of Ba Ria-Vung Tau province Le Van Thung explained to the media that the short test-run was ineffective at acclimating businesses with the system.
Similarly, an officer at Vung Tau port – airport customs office expressed concerns about the new system. He said that in dealing with products relating to oil and gas drilling and exploitation, inserting product codes into the system has proven a major difficulty.
Responsibility now belongs to the head of the department, instead of team leaders, as before. With 53 possible scenarios to be essentially memorised by the people in charge, the pressure on customs agencies has therefore intensified, added the officer.
Businesses are also struggling with the VNACCS/VCIS system. Jinjiro Kimura, general director of Ukina Ltd. Vietnam, a manufacturer located in Tan Thuan export processing zone in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 7, said his firm and 200 others have been waiting for customs clearance for about two weeks.
In particular, nearly 1,000 product declarations had to be re-registered, upsetting several firms operating in Tan Thuan export processing zone. “The re-registrations were primarily due to the input of the wrong product codes,” said Kimura.
Thang Loi International Garment JSC chairman Ngo Duc Hoa said containers holding their products have been sitting around at Cat Lai port for three weeks, causing significant losses for the company. “I think the main reason is officers are not yet used to the system. Solutions are needed immediately,” Hoa underscored.
The officer from Vung Tau port said companies are willing to work with the new system, but are fearful the new process will result in errors and delays that hurt their business results.
Despite complaints, other businesses have given good feedback concerning the system. “I am pinning my hopes on VNACCS/VCIS because it is three times faster than the e-customs procedure. This is very good for businesses,” said Nguyen Duc Tinh from U&I freight forwarding company, a customs agent serving 29 companies in Binh Duong province.
The Vietnam automated and consolidated cargo and port system and Vietnam customs information system (VNACCS/VCIS), funded by the Japanese government, was applied on April 1 this year. It has been implemented at over 100 customs branches under 34 provincial and municipal customs sub-departments across the country.
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