A few years ago, relationship between Customs and enterprises was uneasy, causing unwanted issues that affected production and cost. The relationship then has gradually improved. Customs brokers as Truong Nam has become connecting arm between Customs and enterprises – they have made premises for developments in import/export activities. Vietnam Logistics Review had a discussion with Mr. Vo Truong Son, General Director of Truong Nam JS Customs Broker on the matter.
-Customs brokers are given operating licenses in developed countries. How is it in Vietnam?
We do research on activities of custom brokers in developed countries. They have been recognized for long and they have been very effective. However, the idea of customs brokers in Vietnam is relatively new and customs brokers have just developed for the past few years. Regional customs sub-departments know the concept theoretically only for there has been no customs broker in operation and no official recognition to the activities. In Vietnam, there are many businesses doing customs brokerage or operating under the name of a customs broker but they do not have activities like official ones. However, many enterprises have recognized the values of specialized ones and had more cooperation with official customs brokers. This has brought good opportunities to official customs brokers like Truong Nam
Truong Nam has had good opportunities operating in the dynamic area of Binh Duong. Since the beginning, the company has had good supports from Binh Duong Customs Department in forms of conferences that helped enterprises recognized advantages of customs brokerage agencies in comparison with traditional way of doing customs declaration.
-How is the modernization of administrative procedures in Customs in Vietnam compared to before?
For over 14 years of operation, Truong Nam has updated policies and administrative procedures from the Customs for appropriate counseling to their customers. This gives us a chance to evaluate changes to import/export activities. For example, e-customs with many versions, AEO have replaced traditional time-consuming paper procedures. And we, together with other enterprises, are expecting VNAACS/VSIS system- a complete e-declaration and e-clearance - to be developed in the coming time.
-Customs brokerage helps to develop Vietnam logistics services. Does it need to encourage the development of Customs brokers in Vietnam?
The development of customs brokerage agencies will surely lead to the development of logistics services. Customs procedure and clearance are important parts in a cargo flow of logistics chain. The modernization of the procedure system and the specialization of the staff carrying out the procedure are necessary in order to meet the needs of enterprises’ productions. In Vietnam, customs brokers are the “connecting arm” between the Customs and Enterprises and they will take a part in the developing Vietnam logistics service system in the coming time.
-Many enterprises have had difficulties when dealing with the Customs’ policies and regulations. As a connecting agency, what does Truong Nam do?
In customs brokerage service in the past, Truong Nam only stood behind customers carrying out procedures in traditional methods. The connecting between the Customs and enterprises are loose and unclear. As the program of customs brokers developed, Truong Nam has really been a connecting arm from the Customs, which has been recognized by our customers as an indispensable part in their production activities.
The fact that we are recognized means we have kept improving our service quality. For example, 100% our staff working with the Customs has Customs broker cards; we have invested in compatible equipments with the Customs’ systems; we have cooperated with Customs sub-deparments to hold seminars to update policies which enterprises pay attention to.
-What utilities has Truong Nam provided to facilitate enterprises in administrative procedure reform in Customs?
The target of Truong Nam when applying administrative procedure reform is to shorten the clearance time for imported/exported cargo, and to save additional costs for warehousing and so on…This is a rather important element in creating competition advantages for enterprises’ products in the market. When they cooperate with official customs brokers as Truong Nam, they can make best use of the advantages with special priorities we offer. We update new policies, have consulting services, and offer priorities in processes of registering, cargo checking. With the advantages, we are certain to invest to perfect our utilities in our logistics activity chain.
Thank you!
Truong Nam JS Customs Broker, previously Truong Nam Ltd., Co., was founded in 1999 with its main activities of doing custom declaration services in the area of HCMC. In the early of 2000’s, a strong development of industrial parks in Binh Duong and Dong Nai brought up chances for customs declaration services and other logistic activities. Truong Nam also caught up with the chance. The company has had a staff of over 200 people, and expanded its business to other provinces by setting up branches in Hanoi, Bac Ninh, Danang and Quang Ngai. |
