Transparency in product origin using QR codes: Vietnam affirms its determination to accelerate digital transformation.

VTV.vn - Proving the origin of goods is becoming increasingly important, not only to help Vietnamese goods "go further" but also to ensure "transparency" and "credibility" in the international market.

Vietnam has taken a strategic step by officially announcing the adoption of QR code technology on Certificates of Origin (C/O) and updating the list of C/O-issuing authorities to the World Trade Organization. This is not just a change in administrative procedures, but also affirms Vietnam's determination to combat origin fraud and promote national digital transformation in accordance with international commitments.

After achieving 100% electronic declaration of origin for goods, a new step forward is that the Ministry of Industry and Trade has updated the World Trade Organization (WTO) on the implementation of the Certificate of Origin (C/O) issuance procedure at the Import-Export Department and 34 merged localities. A C/O form integrating a QR code has also been published for WTO member countries to use and search, making the verification of Vietnamese goods' origin more convenient.

"Previously, before the introduction of the QR code, we frequently received requests from importing countries' customs authorities to verify the origin of goods, specifically regarding the seal or signature on the Certificate of Origin (C/O). Since the adoption of the QR code, the amount of verification regarding the form and format of the C/O has decreased significantly, and importing countries' customs authorities now mainly focus on verifying the origin criteria to see if the goods meet the corresponding criteria," said Ms. Trinh Thi Thu Hien, Deputy Director of the Import-Export Department, Ministry of Industry and Trade.

Each month, some logistics companies process around 50-70 export documents to the US and European markets for domestic exporters. By implementing the new electronic document processing system using QR codes, businesses say that importing countries' customs authorities can scan the QR code to instantly and transparently track shipments.

According to World Bank experts, previously it was difficult to verify the authenticity of goods in transit, but new reforms have now overcome this problem.

Currently, 100% of preferential Certificates of Origin (C/O) under the Free Trade Agreements that Vietnam is a party to have integrated QR codes. For other C/O forms, the Ministry of Industry and Trade is continuing discussions with importing countries to negotiate the use of this technology. This ensures that goods have clear origins, contributing to promoting the growth of Vietnam's import and export trade.

Source: https://vtv.vn/minh-bach-xuat-xu-hang-hoa-bang-ma-qr-viet-nam-khang-dinh-quyet-tam-day-manh-chuyen-doi-so-100251212044448278.htm