Centralized inspection locations within export processing zones, industrial parks can save resources: customs official

With Ho Chi Minh City hosting over 1,600 processing enterprises within its export processing zones, it is impractical for customs officers to inspect all goods on-site, says a senior customs official.

Vuong Tuan Nam, head of the customs supervision and management division at the HCMC Customs Department, made the statement at a dialogue conference between enterprises and the department's leaders in HCMC on Wednesday.

Nam highlighted the lack of centralized inspection locations within Tan Thuan Export Processing Zone, Linh Trung Export Processing Zone, Saigon High-Tech Park, the Customs Branch for Processing Goods Management, and the Customs Branch for Investment.

This has forced enterprises to transport their goods to Cat Lai Port for inspection, resulting in significant time, financial and human resource burdens, he said.

Nam said establishing on-site inspection facilities in industrial parks and export processing zones would drastically reduce costs and streamline processes for businesses.

"By reducing transportation time and costs, such facilities would also alleviate pressure on Cat Lai Port," he added.

"Sometimes, a shipment requiring inspection may contain only five fabric rolls, yet businesses still have to transport them to the port. With approximately 1,600 processing businesses in the city's export processing zones, it's impossible for customs officers to inspect all goods on-site," Nam explained.

The lack of physical inspection facilities within industrial parks and export processing zones not only increases costs but also affects traffic, operational efficiency and resource allocation by both businesses and customs authorities.

Nam urged the HCMC People's Committee and the management board of industrial parks and export processing zones to designate inspection sites within the zones and parks in order to alleviate hardships and reduce operational costs for businesses.

The HCMC Customs Department also provided updates on legal regulations and addressed various business concerns related to tax policies and specialized management of import and export goods at the conference.

Representatives further clarified issues regarding customs supervision, post-clearance inspection procedures, tariff quotas, customs declaration adjustments and the application of priority regimes for customs procedures, along with guidelines for compliance declarations for imported and exported goods.