The Ministry of Finance and Vietnam Customs officially put the Vietnam Automated System for Seaport Customs Management (VASSCM) into operation in northern port Hai Phong City on Monday.

Deputy Finance Minister Vu Thi Mai said the system was connected with the National Single Window System, the Vietnam Automated Cargo and Port Consolidated System and the Vietnam Customs Information System (VNACCS/VCIS).

Therefore, customs agencies can monitor imports and exports at seaports and warehouses and the history of consignments after they arrive in Viet Nam, Mai said.

According to head of Hai Phong’s Customs Department Nguyen Tien Loc, since the pilot implementation from August 15, the system has proved effective.

With some 1.3 million declarations a year in Hai Phong, total clearance time can reduce by 40,000 hours thanks to the new system.

It has also helped enterprises increase the efficiency of production and business and raise their competitiveness, Loc said.

Vietnam Customs said VASSCM would soon be applied across the nation. — VNS