On 01 July 2009, SNP had hosted a meeting presided by Vice General Director Ngo Minh Thuan. With focus on “Comprehensive solutions on the execution of manifest data transmission via electronic network”, the meeting was attended by many representatives from functional departments of SNP, HCMC Customs Department, Region I Customs Office and 50 representatives from shipping lines and shipping agents. At the meeting, many issues related to E-manifest had been addressed. After Q&A session, several conclusions had been drawn out as follows:
1. All shipping lines/agents and other attendants had been unanimous in the implementation of manifest data transmission via electronic network. This process is now deemed a growing and indispensable trend, which will bring out multi-benefits for many parties such as shipping lines/agents, customers, customs office and terminals by facilitating clearance process and reducing costs…
2. HCMC Customs Department will request the official permission from the General Customs Bureau to launch a pilot period for this process in fulfilling procedures for container vessels in HCMC (scheduled to be effective as from 01 August, 2009).
3. Solutions:
HCMC Customs Department will take the initiatives to implement inbound manifest data transmission via electronic network.
Every possible data transmission will immediately be implemented (especially for inbound manifest data). Other obstacles in terms of master bills, house bills or data collection from forwarders… will gradually be solved.
Information in manifests of shipping lines and forwarders will be confidential.
Today, many countries have implemented manifest data transmission via website (PortNet). Each shipping line, forwarder or client communicates with system with their own account. A data center will decode the information to be transferred to customs office, terminal office or companies in need. SNP will launch feasible study for the execution of this process.
4. Manifest data transmission via electronic network will be rendered on a pilot period in HCMC, which is deemed an act of modernizing clearance processes as indicated in the Decision No. 52/2007/QD-BTC dated 22 June 2007 by the Ministry of Finance. If successful, the scheme will be utilized on a nationwide scale in the coming time.
