Customs Adopts New Organizational Model

Under the new organizational model, the Department of Vietnam operates at three levels: Customs Department level, Regional Customs Subdepartment level and Border Gate/Outside Border Gate Customs level. Specifically, the Customs Department consists of 12 units, while there are 20 Regional Customs Subdepartments. Following its restructuring, the the Department of Vietnam Customs has reduced its focal points from 902 to 485, a 53.77% reduction.

Vietnam Customs aims to develop a standardized, modern system on par with those of developed countries

The Department of Vietnam Customs has announced the adoption of its new organizational structure. Under Decree 29/2025/ND-CP, dated February 24, 2025, which outlines the functions, tasks, powers and organizational structure of the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry issued Decision 382/QD-BTC on February 26, 2025. This decision defines the functions, tasks, powers and organizational structure of the Customs Department under the ministry and takes effect on March 1, 2025. The Customs Department operates at three levels: Customs Department level, Regional Customs Subdepartment level and Border Gate/Outside Border Gate Customs level. It will continue to carry out the functions, tasks and powers of the former General Department of Vietnam Customs.

Specifically, the previous 16 departments, bureaus, and equivalent units have been reorganized into 12 units under the Customs Department, including the Office, Legal Bureau, Personnel Organization Bureau, Inspection-Examination Bureau, Finance-Administration Bureau, Customs Management and Supervision Bureau, Customs Tax Bureau, Risk Management Bureau, Information Technology and Customs Statistics Bureau, Customs Audit Agency, Anti-Smuggling Investigation Agency and Post-Clearance Inspection Agency.

The positions and functions of these units remain largely unchanged. The bureaus and agencies under the Customs Department serve to advise and assist the Director in carrying out their duties. The Office, Information Technology and Customs Statistics Bureau, Customs Audit Agency, Anti-Smuggling Investigation Agency and Post-Clearance Inspection Agency have legal status, official seals and accounts at the State Treasury. These units will continue to perform their existing tasks and powers while also taking on additional responsibilities from the merged or consolidated units.

The current 35 provincial and municipal customs departments are reorganized into 20 regional customs subdepartments (numbered from I to XX). The headquarters and management areas of 20 regional customs subdepartments include Region I: Hanoi, Vinh Phuc, Phu Tho, Hoa Binh and Yen Bai; Region II: Ho Chi Minh City; Region III: Hai Phong and Thai Binh; Region IV: Hung Yen, Hai Duong, Ha Nam and Nam Dinh; Region V: Bac Ninh, Bac Giang, Tuyen Quang, Thai Nguyen and Bac Kan; Region VI: Lang Son and Cao Bang; Region VII: Ha Giang, Lao Cai, Dien Bien, Lai Chau and Son La; Region VIII: Quang Ninh; Region IX: Quang Binh, Quang Tri and Hue; Region X: Thanh Hoa and Ninh Binh; Region XI: Nghe An and Ha Tinh; Region XII: Da Nang, Quang Nam and Quang Ngai; Region XIII: Khanh Hoa, Ninh Thuan, Binh Dinh and Phu Yen; Region XIV: Gia Lai, Kon Tum, Dak Lak, Dak Nong and Lam Dong; Region XV: Binh Thuan and Ba Ria-Vung Tau; Region XVI: Binh Duong, Binh Phuoc and Tay Ninh; Region XVII: Long An, Ben Tre and Tien Giang; Region XVIII: Dong Nai; Region XIX: Can Tho, Ca Mau, Hau Giang, Vinh Long, Tra Vinh, Soc Trang and Bac Lieu; and Region XX: Dong Thap, An Giang and Kien Giang

Inheriting the roles and functions of the current provincial and municipal customs departments, the regional customs subdepartments under the Customs Department assist the Director in overseeing State management of customs and enforcing customs laws and other relevant regulations within their designated areas of operation.

Regional customs subdepartments have legal status, official seals and accounts at the State Treasury. They assume the tasks and powers of the current provincial and municipal customs departments and are structured with an average of no more than eight offices, divisions and teams.

Border Gate/Outside Border Gate Customs units are reorganized from the existing customs subdepartments. They retain the roles and functions of the current customs subdepartments, have legal status, official seals and accounts at the State Treasury, and continue to perform the tasks and powers of their predecessors. The total number of Border Gate/Outside Border Gate Customs units cannot exceed 165.

In accordance with the regulations of the Government and the Ministry of Finance, the Customs Department is urgently finalizing and submitting regulations on the functions, tasks, powers and organizational structure of customs agencies at all levels for approval by the relevant authorities. During this transition period, customs procedures for exported and imported goods, as well as for means of transport exiting, entering and transiting the country, will continue to be carried out based on the previously announced codes and locations (now Border Gate/Outside Border Gate Customs). These procedures will follow the provisions of the Customs Law and related legal documents to ensure uninterrupted operations and the smooth clearance of exported and imported goods.

By Hien Phuc, Vietnam Business Forum