Minister of Finance assigns 5 strategic tasks to the customs sector

(Dan Tri) - If 80 years ago, the customs' mission was limited to fighting smuggling and collecting taxes, today, the industry is assigned the responsibility of protecting economic borders, moving towards smart customs.

Since its inception in 1945, the customs force’s mission was limited to collecting tariffs, fighting smuggling, and contributing to the economic blockade of the enemy during the resistance war against France. Through the war against the US and the period of national unification, during the Doi Moi period, the customs sector has continuously expanded its role, modernized its management, and become the “gatekeeper” of the national economy in international integration.

“Those efforts have contributed to bringing Vietnam from a small agricultural economy to one of the 20 countries with the largest import-export turnover in the world,” Director of the Customs Department Nguyen Van Tho emphasized at the ceremony to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Vietnam Customs tradition on the morning of September 8.

Mr. Nguyen Van Tho, Director of the Customs Department, spoke on September 8 (Photo: Customs Department).

According to Mr. Tho, in the new era, customs will focus on three key points: continuing to improve laws and reform administrative procedures with businesses and people at the center; promoting digital transformation, moving towards smart customs; and at the same time tightening management, ensuring economic security and national sovereignty .

“Developing sustainable revenue sources, building an elite team of customs officers and enhancing international cooperation are also important pillars,” said Mr. Tho.

5 strategic requirements for the customs industry

At the ceremony, Minister of Finance Nguyen Van Thang recognized customs as one of the pioneers of the financial sector in digital transformation. From the initial manual model, the sector has successfully implemented electronic customs, connecting the National Single Window, ASEAN Single Window and is gradually moving towards digital customs and smart customs.

While 80 years ago, the contribution of import and export to the treasury was still very modest, by 2024, the total budget revenue from this activity had reached 427,577 billion VND, accounting for more than 21% of the total national revenue. "This figure affirms the increasingly important role of customs in the country's economic development," said the Minister.

In the new period, the Minister assigned 5 strategic tasks, emphasizing two breakthroughs. In particular, the two breakthroughs are accelerating the completion of customs laws and soon building a digital customs and smart customs model. The industry also needs to closely follow economic fluctuations to proactively forecast and advise on policies; tighten border monitoring and control to effectively combat smuggling, counterfeit goods, and drugs; and at the same time, build an elite, modern, and capable customs officer force to meet integration requirements.

7 tasks of the customs industry

Mr. Nguyen Van Tho, Director of the Customs Department, pointed out 7 main tasks of the customs sector in the new era.

Firstly, continue to build and perfect a synchronous and modern customs legal system that is suitable to the reality and requirements of international integration, contributing to improving the effectiveness of management and law enforcement, promptly removing bottlenecks, promoting administrative procedure reform, taking businesses and people as the center of service;

The second is to promote reform, modernization, and comprehensive digital transformation of the customs sector.

Third is to strengthen the effectiveness of state management of customs, ensuring economic security and national sovereignty.

Fourth is to facilitate trade, improve the investment environment, and accompany businesses.

The fifth is to develop sustainable revenue sources and improve the efficiency of state budget collection.

The sixth is to build an organization and a team of customs officials that are "sufficient in quantity and strong in quality".

The seventh is to promote international cooperation and integration.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/kinh-doanh/bo-truong-bo-tai-chinh-giao-5-nhiem-vu-chien-luoc-cho-nganh-hai-quan-20250908131153075.htm