Intel Products Vietnam has become the first to be given priority in electronic customs procedures under a memorandum of understanding signed Wednesday with Vietnam General Department of Customs in Ho Chi Minh City.

A company with such priority will be able to carry out e-customs formalities 24/7, declare customs for exports and imports on a digital reduced form, obtain registration approval online and other priorities.

The whole process is conducted via the Applicability Statement 2, a protocol developed to ensure secure data transfer over the Internet, using digital certificates and signatures.

This is part of the country’s efforts to realize its e-commerce potential and help enterprises lower their costs and enhance their competitiveness.

The chip maker believes the launch to be an important step towards attracting more investments to Vietnam.

This priority e-customs procedure will be next offered to major corporations with long-term commitment, said Vu Ngoc Anh, deputy general director of the Department.

Intel and the Vietnamese customs agency agreed to jointly develop the e-customs system in 2007 when the company began to set up its chipset plant in the southern economic hub.

A taskforce was created and assigned to work with the US company in its preparations for the electronic protocol one year later.

The e-customs declaration system has been operated on trial since late 2009.

Source: Tuoi Tre