Binh Duong Customs Department: Always Proactive in Reform and Modernisation

Export and import activities in Binh Duong province are characterised by the overwhelming of industrial park-located foreign-invested enterprises. Exported processed and manufactured commodities accounted for about 83 % of customs declarations and over 65 % of total import-export turnover. These are two relatively complex import and export forms as they relate to the examination of quotas, liquidation and liquidity for importers and exporters in a provided duration of time. Companies often take advantage of preferential policies for these two types to commit trade fraud and evade tax. In addition, customs authorities of Binh Duong province also manage all types of warehouses (including four container freight stations (CFS), 15 bonded warehouses, one non-tariff bonded warehouse), and over 74 export processing companies located in industrial zones. Customs policies and procedures for managing these entities are in the process of completion; thus, there are a lot of shortcomings.

According to statistics in the latest 10 years, the workload at the Binh Duong Customs Department increases 30 % a year, becoming the second largest customs point in the country only after Ho Chi Minh City, with over 12 % of declaration forms and nearly 11 % of import and export turnover while the workforce accounts for less than 3 % of the country’s total. According to statistics, import and export activities in Binh Duong province positively increased in the first nine months of 2010. The number of companies clearing customs procedures rose 11 %, the number of customs declaration forms climbed 26.45 %, import and export turnover expanded 46.05 %, and the State budget collection increased 112.44 % and fulfilled the annual target.

 

In the first nine months of 2010, the Customs Department of Binh Duong basically completed major tasks set at the start of the year. Particularly, it applied e-customs in all nine checkpoints at nine branches to quicken customs clearance, reduce costs and red tape for enterprises.

In the past 10 years, customs officers did not commit any ill-reputed violations which harm the creditability of the customs sector. The Binh Duong Customs Department is known for its solidarity tradition since its establishment in 1991. The Party Committee and the Board of Directors of Binh Duong Customs Department always attaches much importance to building up internal unity, the Party force and other organisations. As a result, the department’s Party Committee, Trade Union and Youth Union have won many awards and titles for integrity, strength and effective operation. Specially, Finance Minister awarded the diploma of merits for “The Advancement of Women” in the 10-year period from 1997 to 2008. 

 

The department was awarded many awards and titles from the State, the Government, ministries, the General Department of Customs and local authorities, including one First Class Labour Medal, one Second Class Labour Medal, one Third Class Labour Medal, three Emulation Flags from the Government, two Certificates of Merits from the Prime Minister, one Emulation Flag and nine Certificates of Merits from the Ministry of Finance, three Emulation Flags from the General Department of Customs, one Emulation Flag and nine Certificates of Merits from the Binh Duong People’s Committee, and one Certificate of Merits from the Central Steering Committee 127.