Officials look to new technology to unravel web of customs policy
Dai Doan Ket (Great Unity) newspaper spoke with Mai The Huyen, head of Hai Phong's Customs Department, about the gradual progress being made to streamline customs procedures. What do you think about the Government's plans to modernise the customs sector? Why did it start so late?
As a member of the sector, I can understand the situation. The project is late because we haven't been able to hire the consultant specialists to assist us in designing information technology systems, re-organising our structure and offering training courses for staff.
What about Hai Phong's Customs plan?
We held a forum to discuss a programme called Modernising Hai Phong's Customs in Line with Concentrated and Automatic Customs Clearance.
Although we've made remarkable reforms in administrative procedures in Hai Phong, there is still much to do in terms of our World Trade Organisation commitments.
This year, we decided all customs procedures in Hai Phong must be done via the computer system. We are also in the process of finishing our e-customs clearance project.
The five phases for e-customs clearance will hopefully be operational by 2009. The first phase includes processing import-export models conducted by Dinh Viet Manh, vice director of Hai Phong's Customs Department.
The second phase is gauging risk management and commercial fraud. This is what I am responsible for.
The fourth phase will involve setting up an information system on a host computer to improve our wireless line. The final phase is to build new infrastructure including an office for 500 staff members.
All goods documents will be checked depending on their category. If there is any suspicion about any products, staff will check the items using x-rays before directly examining the goods.
How else has the department gradually modernised itself?
Since the beginning of February 2007, we have used some applications of the e-customs clearance programme. Enterprises without internet can go to customs branches and make their declarations in person.
In addition, we are setting up 30 customs agencies that enterprises can hire to make declarations for them. Staff at these agencies have to pass training courses organised by the department.
Has the sector's equipment improved too?
In April, we invested in improving our computer system. At present, we have 44 servers and 617 host computers. We also spent money from a project entitled Modernising Customs funded by the World Bank to buy containers and cameras.
Hai Phong's department is considered a model when it comes to applying e-customs clearance.
What changes do we have to make to the legal system to be on par with international counterparts?
To apply e-customs clearance, there has been demand from import-export companies to co-operate with customs to make the process easier.
For example, goods lists must be encoded and e-customs clearance must have an e-signature and e-documents. Resolutions and directives need to follow in line with modernisation processes.
How many people will you need in the future?
Quite a lot. People who can't do their jobs with new technology will be let go and new staff will be hired to replace them. Hai Phong customs processes 250,000 customs declarations every year and is expected to earn VND11tril (US$687mil) from export-import taxes this year.
At present, the department has 700 staff members, many of whom are not meeting our modern technological needs.
How are you and Hai Phong's port authorities working together to complete your modernisation tasks?
All State companies and businesses must work together to achieve the Government's directive. For example, if the Departments of Taxation and Treasury or banks don't give us adequate information, we can't update our computers for our customers.
In terms of the port, we have worked together on several projects for a long time now. In the future, ships will inform us of which port they will be docking in to speed up the customs process so goods inspectors can do their jobs right away.
After September 11 in the US, security became a more important priority. How has this affected the customs sector?
Since September 11, international customs agencies have tightened checking at borders to prevent the import of dangerous goods. Therefore, the customs community has had to co-operate closely with all relevant parties to make sure our information is highly credible.
The World Customs Organisation has set up a standardised framework regarding trade security, which includes data and procedures to facilitate customs. About 70 countries and trade organisations support the programme.
At present, marine transported goods account for 70% of transported items worldwide.
The US has also instituted a Container Security Initial programme to prevent risky goods from getting into its country before they are shipped.
American inspectors can fly to any nation to check out the goods before they are shipped.
The EU has followed suit and started their own special programme, as well.
