A workshop opened in Hanoi on October12 to accelerate the early implementation of a new customs system, ATACarnet, in Vietnam to help expand the country’s export markets.

The workshop was jointly organised by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerceand Industry (VCCI) and the Confederation of Asian-Pacific Chambers ofCommerce and Industry (CACCI) and the International Chamber of Commerce(ICC).

The ATA Carnet, also known as the “passport for goods” or“passport to international trade,” is an international customs documentissued by a network of authorised chambers of commerce and similarbusiness organisations. It allows the holder to temporarily (up to oneyear) import goods without payment of normally applicable duties andtaxes, including value-added taxes.

ICC’s Asian Director, Lee Ju Song, said that while Vietnam is in theprocess of global economic integration, the application of the ATACarnet system is very important and will make customs procedures mucheasier for Vietnamese exporters plus helping to expand their overseasmarkets.

Vietnamese enterprises still know very little about the ATA Carnet,VCCI Vice President Pham Gia Tuc said, adding so this meeting is anexcellent opportunity to introduce the ATA system and the experiencesof other providers to local businesses.

As part of the national effort to reform the country’s administrationto create an internationally standardised business environment that ismore conducive, the VCCI signed an agreement with the TaiwaneseExternal Trade Development Council (TAITRA) on the issuance andguarantee of ATA Carnet on specialised equipment and items on displayat exhibitions, trade fairs and other events./.