Customs officers process tax declaration forms for taxpayers in Ha Noi. Viet Nam Customs tax collections have reached VND117.5 trillion (US$5.57 billion) in the first six months of this year — VNA/VNS Photo

HA NOI (Biz Hub) —Viet Nam Customs tax collections have reached VND117.5 trillion (US$5.57 billion) in the first six months of this year, a 24.4 per cent year-on-year increase.

These figures were reported by deputy general director of Viet Nam Customs Nguyen Thai Duong during a conference to review its performance in the first 6 months and implement tasks for the remainder of this year. The conference was held on Saturday in Ha Noi.

He also told those at the conference that import taxes stood at VND38.1 trillion ($1.8 billion), special consumption taxes were VND6.921 trillion ($329 million), value added taxes collected reached VND72.2 trillion ($3.4 billion) and taxes on environmental protection were VND94 billion ($4.4 million).

Duong attributed the increase in collected taxes in the first six months to high revenue exports and high export taxes, over the same period in 2013. For instance, petrol tariffs rose VND6.65 trillion ($316 million), CBU automobiles up VND3.3 trillion ($157 million), automobile spare-parts increased VND1.1 trillion ($52.3 million) and other equipment was up VND2.44 trillion ($116 million).

Facing many difficulties in production, business performance has not yet significantly bounced back from past highs. However, the Viet Nam General Department of Customs has enacted a variety of solutions to complete set targets for tax collections this year.

Apart from tax collections, Viet Nam Customs has focused on enhancing other activities by strengthening anti-smuggling enforcement to prevent losses of revenues for the state coffer, as well as prosecuting anti-trade fraud and ensuring national security and community safety.

As of June 15, 2015, 8,915 smuggling cases, valued at VND168.9 billion ($8 million), were uncovered, a reduction of 19.9 per cent compared to 2013. Also, the Anti-smuggling and Investigation Agency prevented 43 smuggling cases valued at VND92 billion.

In terms of administrative reforms and customs modernisation, Viet Nam Customs had implemented e-customs procedures, known as the automated customs clearance, named VNACCS/VCIS, at 34 provincial and city departments of customs. The number of enterprises taking part in implementing e-customs procedures reached 49,900 units, increasing 16.6 per cent in comparison with the previous year, and accounted for 96 per cent of all enterprises involved in customs procedures.

Speaking at the conference, Minister of Finance Dinh Tien Dung called upon Viet Nam Customs agencies to act to prevent the flood of poor-quality consumer goods being imported into the country, having a negative impact on the daily lives of the public.

According to the Viet Nam Customs General Department, the high tensions in the East Sea has also had a strong impact on domestic import-export turnover and business performance.

In June alone, Viet Nam's export turnover to China reached $1.18 billion only, registering a decrease of 2.5 per cent over May. Viet Nam was likely to spend $3.43 billion purchasing goods from China in June or a reduction of 14.6 per cent against May. — VNS