Cashew exports to the EU. Local exporters should register the REX code to enjoy preferential tariffs. — Photo cafef.vn

The Import-Export Department under the Ministry of Industry and Trade has urged local exporters shipping to the EU, Norway and Switzerland to register for REX as soon as possible.

REX, or registered exporter system, is a system of certification of origin of goods based on self-certification granted by the European Commission (EC) under the Generalised System of Preferences Treatment (GSP) that is the tariff for developing countries. The system has been used to gradually replace the certification of origin of goods (C/O) form A.

The Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) has been in charge of granting the REX code.

The department said Viet Nam was under countries granting the REX code in 2019 and would be extended for the end of C/O form A by the end of June 2020. EU’s customs would not accept the C/O form A for exporters resgistering REX code.

The ministry has urged VCCI to speed up the registration for businesses to ensure that domestic exporters could enjoy the GSP.

VCCI's statistics showed that there were more than 1,200 firms registering for the REX code so far. Another 280 companies are waiting for approval.

However, the number was still modest. There are two months left for the deadline, requiring firms to quickly complete the registration. — VNS