Vietnam’s customs revenue in the first ten months of 2020 declined by 14.66% year-on-year to VND250.46 trillion (US$10.86 billion), or 74.10% of the year’s estimate.

The customs authority is set to step up efforts against smuggling, trade and origin frauds. Photo: Cong Hung.

The Import – Export Duty Department under the General Department of Vietnam Customs (GDVC) attributed the decline in customs revenue to the severe impacts of Covid-19 pandemic on trading activities, especially in importing machinery, auto parts, petroleum products, among others.

Meanwhile, at the time of planning, prices of crude oil were predicted to reach US$60 per barrel, but now hover around US$40 per barrel, which directly impacts customs revenue.

Vietnam’s customs authority said the country’s global economic integration and participation in free trade agreements have offered both opportunities and challenges to the economy.

On the positive side, Vietnam’s trade turnover in the first 10 months this year stood at US$439.81 billion, up 2.65% year-on-year, of which exports rose by 4.9% year-on-year to US$229.65 billion and imports edged up 0.3% to US$210.16 billion.

Meanwhile, the government forewent over VND8.2 trillion (US$355.45 million) in customs revenue during the period as a result of Vietnam's commitments to free trade agreements.

Provinces and cities with the sharpest decline in customs revenue over the 10-month period are Haiphong with revenue of VND43.87 trillion (US$1.9 billion), down 24.34%; Dong Nai with VND11.81 trillion (US$511.9 million), down 23.3%; Ninh Binh with VND4.36 trillion (US$189 million), down 28.95%; and Ho Chi Minh City with VND83 trillion (US$3.6 billion), down 16.56%; among others.

For the final two months of the year, the GDVC expected to continue simplifying administrative procedures related to customs procedures to create more convenience for enterprises, with the aim of achieving the customs revenue target for this year.

Notably, the customs authority is set to step up efforts against smuggling, trade and origin frauds.