Specialized inspection is a customs clearance procedure in Vietnam that is implemented by related ministries on import and export of goods. Over the past 10 months, the USAID Trade Facilitation Program has been working with the General Department of Vietnam Customs (GDVC) to reform the specialized inspections process by (i) sharing international best practices; (ii) conducting an institutional, economic, and regulatory impact assessment; and (iii) contributing to focus working groups and providing technical inputs and comments to various drafts.

On September 16, USAID and GDVC submitted the final draft for special inspection reform, signed by Minister of Finance Dinh Tien Dung, to the Prime Minister for his approval by the end of the year. It is estimated that the suggested reforms will reduce declarations subject to quality control and food safety (not including quarantine inspection) by 54.4 percent, saving businesses nearly 2.5 million days of labor and $37.8 million. The special inspections reforms will be carried out over six years and will include developing a Decree in Phase 1 (2020-2023), and reviewing and revising the laws in Phase 2 (2024-2026).

So What? Specialized inspections reform has been high on the agenda of the Government of Vietnam for years. With the current momentum, the proposed reforms will streamline the import-export procedures, reduce clearing times, and facilitate international trade for businesses in Vietnam, thereby improving Vietnam’s competitiveness and contributing to its Journey to Self-Reliance.