Customs Branch Region VIII: Smooth import-export activities after model conversion

From March 15, together with the entire Customs sector, Quang Ninh Customs Department officially started operating under the new organizational model of Customs Sub-Department Region VIII. Customs Sub-Department Region VIII immediately started performing its tasks to minimize the impact on the customs clearance process, especially at border gates and seaports.

Mr. Nguyen Van Nghien, Head of the Customs Branch of Region VIII, presented the Decision on personnel work of the Customs Department to 13 comrades, Heads of units under the Branch.

Implementing Resolution 18-NQ/TW (dated October 25, 2017) of the 12th Central Executive Committee on streamlining the apparatus, the Customs Department has deployed a new organizational model. The Customs system is reorganized into three levels: the Customs Department, Regional Customs Branches and Border Gate or Outside Border Gate Customs. With its unique geographical location, the province is considered a gateway connecting international, regional and inter-provincial borders and is the only locality in Vietnam that has both land and sea borders with China, the most populous market in the world. The Ministry of Finance has decided to convert the Quang Ninh Customs Department into the Regional Customs Branch VIII. Before implementing the new model, the organization of the provincial Customs Department had 18 focal points, including: 8 department-level units, 7 branches, 3 control teams and 26 teams and working groups under the Branch. Up to now, the Customs Branch of Region VIII still has 13 focal points (5 departments, 2 teams and 6 border gate customs).

In parallel with the process of streamlining the apparatus, the Customs Department restructured the information system throughout the industry. Accordingly, from 11:00 p.m. on March 14, 2025 to 5:00 a.m. on March 15, 2025, the system will temporarily stop receiving customs declaration information. At the same time, the customs code will be updated to match the new names of the units. In order to ensure the smooth implementation of the information technology system, the Customs Sub-Department of Region VIII requires units and border customs to proactively notify the business community about the conversion schedule. At the same time, there will be appropriate solutions to support businesses as quickly and promptly as possible.

Recorded at Hon Gai Port Customs, the unit has state management area of customs in 4 localities (Dong Trieu, Uong Bi, Quang Yen, Ha Long), with the largest number of import-export enterprises in the province. On average, each year, Hon Gai Port Customs is assigned to collect 5,000-6,500 billion VND for the state budget (accounting for 50% of the total revenue of the Department). Immediately after converting the model, Hon Gai Port Customs focused on customs clearance of goods, not allowing any customs clearance records of enterprises to be stuck.

Business operations at Hon Gai port customs are stable and smooth after the model conversion.

Mr. Vu Hong Chung, Captain of Hon Gai Port Customs, shared: In the spirit of preparing for the uninterrupted implementation of the new model, the unit has established a standing team to resolve problems during the implementation of tasks; review work related to the Treasury, ensure that businesses fulfill their tax obligations to be eligible for goods release. Officials and civil servants worked all day on the weekend (March 15-16) to ensure that the system operates stably, without affecting the customs clearance process. Because it is a large-scale management unit with many FDI enterprises of many types, while there are no longer affiliated teams and groups like before, the unit sent a leader directly to Song Khoai Industrial Park (Quang Yen Town) to promptly handle and remove problems for businesses. It is expected that the unit will establish groups with similar tasks to closely follow all import-export activities of businesses.

In the context of organizational transformation, one of the biggest changes of the Customs Branch VIII is that 4 customs control teams (Control Team No. 1, Control Team No. 2, Anti-drug Team, Anti-smuggling and Violation Handling Team) merged into the Customs Control Team. This merger aims to focus and form a unified block to strengthen the customs control force. However, due to the area being spread across land, sea and air, immediately after the merger, the Customs Branch VIII requested the Customs Control Team to closely monitor the area, ensure 100% of the staff working during the transition period and focus highly, strictly maintain the work of smuggling control and drug prevention.

Mr. Nguyen Van Nghien, Head of the Customs Branch of Region VIII, affirmed: Changing the customs organization model aims to implement the reform policy of the Party and the State, helping the apparatus to be more streamlined and efficient, aiming to develop into a regular, modern customs agency, commensurate with developed countries, ensuring the proper role as a gatekeeper of the economy. Implementing the new model, the Customs Branch of Region VIII will continue to focus on reforming administrative procedures, applying information technology and modern customs management methods to simplify processes, reduce customs clearance time and facilitate businesses; maintain cooperative relationships with relevant agencies to comprehensively support businesses.

Queen Russia

Source