Encouraging businesses to register customs procedures in Dong Nai

In 2026, Dong Nai City has set a state budget revenue target of VND23.5 trillion from import-export activities. However, under the city’s growth-oriented targets, revenue from the sector is expected to reach VND25.8 trillion. To achieve this goal, the customs sector is rolling out a range of solutions, including reviewing, encouraging, and inviting enterprises to carry out customs procedures in Dong Nai.

Customs officers inspect import-export goods at Phuoc An Port. Photo: Ngoc Lien

According to statistics from the Customs Sub-Department of Region XVIII, the unit is currently handling customs procedures for nearly 5,400 businesses in the city. Of these, nearly 2,400 businesses regularly complete procedures at the sub-department. These businesses have contributed to Dong Nai's state budget revenue for many years, helping fund local socio-economic development. However, some businesses operating in Dong Nai still complete customs procedures elsewhere.

Advantages of Dong Nai City

Dong Nai City is emerging as a dynamic growth center with comprehensive development advantages, particularly as one of Vietnam’s key economic hubs with an increasingly modern transport, urban, and logistics infrastructure system. Notably, Dong Nai is shaping a global logistics ecosystem centered around Long Thanh International Airport and its seaport network, including Phuoc An Port in Nhon Trach, Dong Nai Port, and Go Dau Port, all seamlessly connected to major ports such as Cai Mep – Thi Vai and Cat Lai, as well as strategic expressways. This network enables manufacturers' goods to reach global markets more quickly and at a lower cost.

Alongside its infrastructure advantages, Dong Nai City is accelerating administrative reforms through streamlined procedures and a more transparent investment environment, with public and business satisfaction serving as a key measure of governance effectiveness. In this regard, import-export management is one of the areas where the customs sector needs practical solutions to shorten customs clearance times for businesses, help them save costs, increase transparency, and facilitate the delivery and receipt of goods.

According to statistics from the Customs Sub-Department of Region XVIII, more than 70 businesses currently operating in Dong Nai are still carrying out customs procedures in other localities. As a result, Dong Nai is estimated to lose nearly VND1.8 trillion in import-export tax revenue annually, accounting for approximately 7.5% of the city’s projected 2026 revenue.

To address these challenges, the Customs Sub-Department of Region XVIII has focused on digital transformation alongside administrative reform, modernizing management systems and maximizing convenience for import-export activities. Several information technology solutions have already been deployed, delivering positive initial results for the business community.

However, customs authorities noted that several enterprises operating production and business activities in Dong Nai continue to process customs declarations elsewhere. This reality means the import-export tax revenues generated by those enterprises are transferred to the localities where the procedures are conducted.

Creating favorable conditions for businesses to carry out customs procedures

To encourage businesses to shift their customs procedures back to Dong Nai, where they are actually operating, the city government recently held a working session with enterprises to hear their concerns, difficulties, and proposals from more than 70 companies currently based in Dong Nai but not conducting customs procedures locally.

At the meeting, several businesses expressed their willingness to complete customs procedures in Dong Nai, while also calling on city authorities and customs agencies to continue facilitating smoother administrative processes and improving conditions for business operations.

Highlighting recent customs reforms, Director of the Customs Sub-Department of Region XVIII Le Van Thung said the agency has maintained multiple digital support channels for businesses. Among them is an official Zalo OA platform integrated with artificial intelligence (AI) technology to provide 24/7 information lookup services and respond to business inquiries. In parallel, the customs agency regularly organizes dialogue conferences with businesses to directly listen to and resolve obstacles arising during import-export operations.

“For issues related to mechanisms, policies, or matters beyond our authority, the Customs Sub-Department of Region XVIII will proactively compile reports and submit recommendations to the Ministry of Finance, the Department of Customs, and the city authorities for consideration and resolution, thereby creating more favorable conditions for enterprises operating in Dong Nai City,” Thung said.

Affirming the city’s efforts to create the most favorable conditions for businesses, Member of the City Party Committee and Vice Chairman of the Dong Nai City People’s Committee Ho Van Ha said that, with the city tasked with achieving double-digit economic growth in 2026 and the following years, the City People's Committee has always focused on building a healthy investment environment and improving business satisfaction. This, he noted, is the responsibility of the city, specifically agencies responsible for enforcing legal regulations, such as customs and taxation authorities. Therefore, the Vice Chairman of the Dong Nai City People’s Committee expressed his hope that the business community would bring customs declaration and customs procedure activities back to Dong Nai. Carrying out procedures in a locality with a central-level mechanism, he said, would serve as a credible "guarantee" for enterprises’ capacity profiles when negotiating with international partners. At the same time, this would enable businesses to fully benefit from the outstanding preferential policies on taxation, land, and investment available only in cities.

By Ngoc Lien – Translated by Mai Nga, Minho