Businesses raise customs concerns over tax, re-exports

Businesses gathered at a business-government dialogue on customs in Ho Chi Minh City to express their concerns about tax policies, tax refunds, and temporary imports for re-export. The conference, organized by the Ho Chi Minh City Trade and Investment Promotion Center, brought together nearly 400 delegates from businesses. Le Anh Hoang, deputy director of the ITPC, emphasized that direct dialogue helps businesses stay updated on regulations while addressing their difficulties.

Nearly 100 questions and recommendations were submitted, focusing on issues affecting the time and cost of moving goods through border gates, such as tax policies, tax refunds, temporary imports for re-export, inspections, and cargo clearance.

Some businesses faced challenges obtaining tax refunds for imported goods used in on-the-spot export production. In specialized inspections, long waiting times for registration or sampling for analysis and classification can delay declaration processing and production schedules. Businesses exporting goods with uncertain final selling prices also encounter difficulties, as customs valuation declarations are based on the final price, often determined months later.

Deputy head of the Customs Sub-Department of Region II, Nguyen Thanh Binh, asked relevant units to classify the issues into groups to provide guidance and resolve them. He urged businesses with pending specialized inspection files to inform customs authorities promptly for coordinated resolution. Goods awaiting quality or food safety inspection results could be moved to storage facilities if conditions permit.

For exported goods with undetermined final selling prices, businesses were advised to declare a provisional customs value, fulfill tax obligations, and submit supplementary declarations once the official price is known.

Customs authorities will continue reviewing difficulties related to tax refunds, transitional policies, and cases governed by multiple regulations. Issues outside their jurisdiction will be compiled and submitted to competent authorities for consideration and resolution. The dialogue aims to shift from uniform management to risk- and compliance-based management, reducing procedures, shortening customs clearance times, and lowering costs for businesses.

The recent Law No. 11/2026/QH16, which amends and supplements the Customs Law, drives a major shift in management approaches, incorporating digital technology, big data, and artificial intelligence. Compliance with new regulations may result in preferential procedures, reduced inspections, and lower post-clearance inspections for businesses with good compliance records.