Firms want clear customs rules
Representatives of businesses have expressed expectations that regulations in a draft decree amending Decree 08/2015/ND-CP on customs procedures to be clear.
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Representative of logistics firm ALC said regulations in the draft decree should be made clear to help enterprises avoid being harassed by customs officers. For example, the tax refund period should be clarified in cases of excess tax payments as tax payers have to supplement certificates of origin of goods.
In reality, the customs often finds reasons to delay tax refunds for enterprises. Enterprises have suffered a lot from unclear regulations on time for relevant agencies to return results of special tests to enterprises.
Pham Thi Thuy Van, deputy director of marketing at Saigon Newport Corporation, said the department should listen to enterprises to improve regulations in the draft decree to minimize losses for enterprises.
Dang Thi Binh An from the Governance for Inclusive Growth Program under the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID GIG) asked whether there would be circulars or customs procedures for enterprises to follow in addition to the draft decree.
She said a new point in the draft decree is that an inspection agency will be formed under the department. Enterprises wanted to know the role and function of the planned agency as well as mechanisms of coordination among Government agencies as it is possible that the quality of imported products is certified by the General Department of Customs but is not approved by others.
Many firms bemoaned they have to spend a lot of time and money due to inconsistency and different interpretation of laws and regulations by customs officials. They are also concerned that there will not be enough time for comment on the cumbersome points of the draft decree to be collected before it is issued.
Vu Ngoc Anh, deputy head of the General Department of Customs, said enterprises’ feedback will be weighed and used by the drafting committee to improve the draft decree.
