Customs agencies have signed MoUs with 289 enterprises seeking to participate in a pilot program encouraging voluntary compliance with customs laws, according to the General Department of Vietnam Customs.

The number of enterprises joining the program rose 36 per cent year-on-year in 2023.

It has helped improve awareness among enterprises about abiding by customs laws. The number of enterprises committing violations such as trade fraud has fallen, and the rate of goods subject to inspections through scanners has also reduced significantly, helping enterprises cut costs and shorten customs clearance time.

The program was initiated in 2022 with the aim of raising awareness about legal compliance. It is now applied nationwide after initially being implemented by customs agencies in seven localities.

Vietnam Customs set a target of, after two years of implementation, no businesses participating in the program being found to have violated customs law, and all being assessed for legal compliance at Level 2 (the highest compliance with customs laws) and Level 3 (medium compliance).

After five years, through support activities and voluntary compliance by enterprises, the rate of Level 2 and Level 3 compliance is expected to reach over 20 per cent of all import-export enterprises.