Vietnam customs agreement creates feedback channel for foreign-invested firms
VAFIE will collect members’ concerns for customs officials to review every six months or at the association’s request.
Vietnam’s Customs Department signed an agreement with the Vietnam Association of Foreign-Invested Enterprises (VAFIE) in Hanoi on November 5 to establish regular coordination on customs matters. The arrangement gives foreign-invested companies another route to raise operational problems and comment on policies governing imports and exports.
Handling business concerns is a priority under the agreement. VAFIE will gather and categorise recommendations from member companies, then submit them to the department. Customs officials will examine and address matters within their authority, while referring those outside their remit to the relevant authorities. Recommendations will be exchanged and addressed every six months or when VAFIE requests it.
The cooperation also covers sharing regulatory information, consulting businesses on proposed legislation, and jointly holding dialogues, seminars and training. The department will supply updates on customs rules, import and export taxes, and its reform and digitalisation programmes for VAFIE to circulate among members.
Business consultation will cover draft customs and tax legislation, modernisation plans and Vietnam’s participation in international customs treaties. Companies will also be able to give feedback on service standards, conditions for completing formalities, and customs officials’ competence and responsibility.
The two organisations also agreed to encourage participation in voluntary customs compliance programmes and exchange experience on trade fraud and intellectual property violations. The agreement forms part of the department’s 2026 plan for partnerships with businesses and other stakeholders.
