Customs removes barriers, creates favorable conditions for businesses

According to information from the Customs Department on the afternoon of October 3, a representative of the Customs Department affirmed that reviewing and amending the legal system is a key task to remove barriers, reform procedures, create favorable conditions for businesses; at the same time, promote the implementation of the Digital Customs and Smart Customs models.

Mr. Nguyen Van Tho, Director of Customs Department.

At the recent conference on drafting legal documents to implement the Politburo 's resolutions and implement the new digital Customs model, Mr. Nguyen Van Tho, Director of the Customs Department, shared that reviewing and perfecting customs laws is one of three strategic breakthroughs in State management, laying the foundation for a transparent, stable business environment and low compliance costs, thereby enhancing national competitiveness and attracting investment.

Immediately after the Politburo issued 4 strategic resolutions, the Customs Department quickly disseminated them to cadres and civil servants, transforming the resolutions into concrete actions in all professional fields; at the same time, coordinated with ministries and branches to review and promptly institutionalize necessary contents.

“Completing the law is associated with the need for institutional reform, removing barriers to market access, limiting the 'ask-give' mechanism, shifting from pre-inspection to post-inspection, creating maximum favorable conditions for businesses. The Customs Department also promotes the application of modern technology, digitalization, automation of business processes, application of artificial intelligence (AI) and big data to improve management efficiency, minimize direct contact, shorten time and costs for businesses to complete procedures,” said Mr. Nguyen Van Tho. At the same time, legal reform also aims to build a digital administration and modern data management, helping businesses easily connect and exploit data safely and transparently.

The Customs Department aims to continue to review, amend and supplement inadequate legal documents by 2025, promptly remove legal "bottlenecks", and facilitate trade, investment and international integration activities.

Director Nguyen Van Tho also requested units under the Customs sector to focus on implementing resolutions of the Politburo, the National Assembly and the Government; strengthen propaganda and raise awareness for cadres and civil servants, especially staff working in advisory and policy making - about the content and significance of the 4 strategic resolutions.

In addition, units need to urgently review, propose amendments and complete legal documents to serve the implementation of the Plan to reduce and simplify administrative procedures according to Decision No. 2421/QD-BTC dated July 9, 2025 of the Minister of Finance and Decision No. 1848/QD-TTg dated August 27, 2025 of the Prime Minister, ensuring completion on schedule.

According to the leaders of the Customs Department, the key task of the industry in the coming time is to complete the legal basis to deploy Digital Customs and Smart Customs, in accordance with the requirements of national digital transformation. This is an important step to improve the quality of management, prevent trade fraud, ensure economic security and at the same time support the business community to develop sustainably.

According to Ms. Tran Thi Thuy Hoa, Deputy Head of the Legal Department of the Customs Department, over the past years, the Customs sector has made efforts to perfect the legal system, simplify procedures, harmonize with international standards, and facilitate import-export activities and cross-border trade. The work of reviewing and proposing amendments and supplements to legal documents is carried out regularly and has become a key annual task.

In particular, since May 2025, the Customs authority has comprehensively reviewed the legal system, ensuring compliance with Resolution 18 of the Central Committee on streamlining the apparatus, operating effectively and efficiently, while meeting the requirements of strong decentralization and delegation of power. This process is associated with the implementation of four strategic resolutions of the Politburo (Resolutions No. 57-NQ/TW, 59-NQ/TW, 66-NQ/TW, 68-NQ/TW), contributing to meeting the roadmap for transition to Digital Customs, Smart Customs, and promoting comprehensive reform.

The review results show that there are 99 legal documents that need to be adjusted, including 2 laws, 13 decrees, 15 decisions of the Prime Minister, 49 circulars, 17 joint circulars, 2 decisions of the Minister of Finance and 1 decision of the General Director of the General Department of Customs. At the same time, the Customs agency proposed to amend, supplement or abolish 106 legal documents, of which 84 documents were drafted by the Customs agency itself.

Notably, to serve the implementation of Digital Customs, the Customs authority proposed to amend and supplement 18 legal documents, of which 13 documents were drafted by the Customs authority, including 1 Law, 4 Decrees and 8 Circulars.

The Customs Department aims to complete the simplification of customs procedures, reduce at least 30% of administrative procedure processing time, at least 30% of legal compliance costs, and cut at least 30% of business conditions in accordance with the requirements of the Politburo's resolutions.

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/kinh-te/hai-quan-go-rao-can-tao-thuan-loi-cho-doanh-nghiep-20251003171852617.htm