New Rules Govern Customs Agents

The government on February 16 issued Decree No 14/ND-CP on regulations for registration and operation of customs agents. Under the decree scheduled to take effect from April 1, people who have imports or exports (or owners of the goods) have to take responsibilities of customs declarant in line with regulations as well as other customs requirements as stipulated in contracts.

 

Traders wishing to act as customs agents must (i) complete business registration; (ii) be engaged in the business of providing freight forwarding services or of providing customs services, with such business purposes stated in the business registration certificate; (iii) have at least one employee qualified to act as a customs agent; and (iv) have a computer network connection enabling connection with customs offices for conducting e-customs procedures through provincial-level customs departments which offer these procedures.

 

According the regulations, customs agents may sign contracts with owners of goods; request owners of goods to fully and accurately provide documents and information necessary for completion of customs procedures for each export or import lot; perform duties related to customs procedures as agreed upon in contracts.

 

Customs agents have to take full responsibilities if they do not carried out authorised tasks properly and give wrong information and vouchers provided by owner of the goods. The agencies are also responsible for offering free technical assistance in connecting internet network between customs agencies. They also provide other supports related to customs and tax procedures to imports and exports and update new regulations on customs and particularly hold training courses on customs.