On April 9, 2020 the Government issued Decree No.46/2020/ND-CP, effective from 1/6/2020 providing regulations on customs procedures, customs inspection and supervision of goods. transit through the ASEAN customs transit system to implement Protocol 7 on the customs transit system
Protocol 7 on the Customs Transit System was developed with the overall goal of simplifying and harmonizing regulations on movement, trade and customs; establish an effective, optimal and integrated transit system in ASEAN.
This Decree details the goods in transit through the ACTS system. Can understand the ACTS system as follows: “ACTS” means the integrated information technology system developed by Member States of ASEAN for the purposes of connecting and exchanging information to carry out electronic transit procedure, control the movement of goods across the territory of Contracting Parties, assisting customs authorities of Contracting Parties in calculating customs duties and guarantee amounts, and exchanging information for recovery of customs debts under Protocol 7 on Customs Transit System (hereinafter referred to as “Protocol 7”
The transit of goods through the ACTS system must comply with the following provisions:
1. Goods placed under the ACTS procedure which are transported from Vietnam across the territory of a Contracting Party must comply with the provisions on management of goods in transit of that Contracting Party.
2. Goods placed under the ACTS procedure which are transported across the territory of a Contracting Party and imported to Vietnam must comply with the provisions on management of goods in transit of that Contracting Party and the relevant provisions on management of imports of Vietnam.
3. Goods placed under the ACTS procedure which are transported across the territory of Vietnam must comply with the provisions on management of goods in transit laid down in relevant laws.
4. Based on the result of classification of customs declarations on the ACTS and provided information relating to the goods in transit (if any), Directors of Customs Sub-departments shall decide to carry out the examination of customs dossiers and/or the physical inspection of goods. The physical inspection of goods shall be carried out with machinery and other technical devices. If the Customs Sub-department does not have sufficient machinery and technical devices or the inspection of goods by using machinery and technical devices is not sufficient for determining the actual conditions of goods or any violations are suspected, the customs officials shall carry out the physical inspection of goods.
5. Charges which may be incurred in Vietnam in respect of goods placed under the ACTS procedure shall be paid in accordance with regulations of the law on fees and charges.
In addition, this Decree prescribes the priority regime for enterprises conducting goods transit through the ACTS System such as:
1. Free many journeys
2. Exemption from the requirement to present the TAD and the goods at the customs authority, except for the case of the ACTS failure.
3. Exemption from the examination of customs dossiers and physical inspection of goods at the customs authority of departure, except for the cases of suspected violations.
4. Use of the special seal approved by the customs authority.
5. The validity period of authorisations shall be 36 months from the date of issue of the decision on recognition of authorized transit trader status.
Decree No. 46/2020/ND-CP was issued, contributing to creating a legal basis for implementing the application of customs modernization for goods in transit between ASEAN countries and Vietnam, while contributing to reducing spending fees and facilitate businesses in the transit of goods between Vietnam and ASEAN member countries, ensuring the requirements of administrative procedure reform and customs modernization.