Streamlining the apparatus, reducing units by more than 53%
Implementing the policy of streamlining the apparatus, the Customs Department system is reorganized into three levels: Customs Department, Regional Customs Branch and Border Gate/outside Border Gate Customs. The total number of affiliated units decreased sharply from 902 to 417, equivalent to a decrease of more than 53% of units. The new apparatus helps streamline the intermediary stage, improve management efficiency, and shorten the procedure processing process.
Although the regulation allows a maximum of 3 months to complete the conversion, after only 15 days, the Customs Department has completed the operation according to the new model across the system.
To ensure that the conversion process does not affect import and export activities, the Customs Department has carefully prepared, issued guiding documents, fully updated the unit code, new names and notified the business community.
Before the new system was put into operation, the Customs Department announced that it would temporarily stop receiving declarations for a few hours to reconstruct the system. At the same time, all cadres and civil servants are deployed to work on duty throughout the two weekends to support businesses and promptly handle arising problems.
Results recorded on the first day showed that the system operated smoothly. By 5:00 p.m. on March 15, 2025, the total import-export turnover reached 1.05 billion USD with more than 20,300 declarations. Customs procedures for import-export goods, means of transport for entry and exit, and transit are all handled quickly, without waiting or running out of date. The units that are merged or terminated operations will also urgently complete the processing of any remaining declarations in the system.
The Customs Department simultaneously updated all names of border gate units, outside border gates according to the new structure and has not recorded any complaints from enterprises or officials related to the procedures.
Target of cutting 30% of administrative procedure time and costs
In parallel with the restructuring of the apparatus, the Customs Department also focuses on implementing tasks of reforming administrative procedures in the direction of General Secretary To Lam and the Prime Minister in Directive No. 05/CT-TTg dated March 1, 2025 and Official Dispatch No. 22/CD-TTg dated March 9, 2025.
Accordingly, the Customs Department aims to reduce at least 30% of the time for handling administrative procedures in 2025, cut at least 30% of the cost of procedures, and review and abolish at least 30% of unnecessary business conditions. The handling of procedures related to enterprises will be carried out entirely in the electronic environment, ensuring continuity, synchronization, transparency and efficiency.
Completing the organizational model and promoting procedure reform not only contributes to improving the effectiveness and efficiency of state management of customs but also creates favorable conditions for import-export activities, promotes trade, and enhances the competitiveness of Vietnamese enterprises in the context of deep integration.
