The Customs agency of Vietnam has opened an online monitoring unit that will promote increased transparency and efficiency in carrying out customs procedures, and will discourage wrongdoings by Customs officials and personnel.
The Anti-Smuggling and Investigation Department under the General Department of Customs announced early this month the establishment of the Online Customs Supervision Department (OCSD), following the promulgation by the Ministry of Finance of Decision No.1658/QD-BTC creating such a division at the agency.
The OCSD is tasked to connect and integrate all monitoring equipment within the agency and provide information, data, and online images to the General Department of Customs. The unit will “create an effective monitoring channel” for showing how every Customs branch and department implement procedures and conduct operations in customs-designated areas. This, said Customs, will ensure that execution of all regulations is made public and transparent.
Furthermore, online monitoring will compel customs officials to act with greater responsibility when carrying out customs procedures, and will forestall any “harassment” inclinations by officials, said a General Department of Customs statement.
The Online Customs Supervision Department is equipped with various technologies including a dedicated screen for displaying multiple visuals, a camera surveillance system, an electronic weighing system, a cargo scanner system, and other monitoring and navigation systems.
Photo courtesy of General Department of Customs
