Custom officers check imported cars at the Sai Gon Port in HCM City. By the end of September, more than 3,800 imported motor vehicles were issued safety and environmental certificates through the National Single Window. — Photo www.vtc.vn

HA NOI (Biz Hub) — Since its introduction in May, Viet Nam's National Single Window (NSW) has significantly reduced the time required for customs clearance, helping import businesses save time and money on lengthy administrative procedures.

By the end of September, more than 3,800 imported motor vehicles were issued safety and environmental certificates through the NSW, according to the Viet Nam Register under the Ministry of Transport.

Businesses have been instructed to submit forms online to be placed in a queue for inspection. After inspection, the vehicles were promptly given safety and environmental certificates.

"It used to take us 50-60 days to deliver our orders. Lengthy administrative procedures were a challenge for us in keeping customers. Many of them simply couldn't wait that long," said Nguyen Thi Thuy, a motor vehicle importer told the Hai Quan (Custom) newspaper.

She said with the NSW, her company no longer had to send someone to the border gate after acquiring required certificates to finish custom clearing as they were automatically sent online to customs authorities. The new custom clearance system for importing motor vehicles has been slashed from 20 days to two or three.

Dao Thanh Tam, representative of a company which imports 15-20 construction vehicles on a monthly basis, said the speedy process eased the fear of being fined by customs for late customs clearance.

"The whole process takes only three days now. It used to take 15-20 days before, even longer if there were problems," Tam said, "As we had only one month to complete the paperwork, being fined by the authority was always a possibility."

Businesses' representatives proposed that the NSW should be extended to connect with police to help customers register their vehicles.

The NSW has established connections with the ASEAN Single Window, a platform to co-ordinate customs administrations for the formation of the ASEAN Economic Community at the end of the year. — VNS