USAID Trade Facilitation Program
SCOPE OF WORK
Technical assistance on the development of the Decree on schedules of import tariffs, preferential import tariffs, list of goods and its flat tax, compound tariff, and out-of-quota import tariff
Proposed Personnel: National STTA Tariff Expert
Period of Performance: o/a 26 May – 31 July 2022
Origin/Destination: Hanoi, Vietnam
Travel Dates: 06
Activity No. FY22-3.5.1
MEL indicator(s): EG.2.1-1; DR.2.1-1-CUST; CBLD-10; CLBD-9
Project Background:
The USAID Trade Facilitation Program is a five-year project that aims to support the adoption and implementation of a more risk–based approach to customs and SI institutions in Vietnam. The Program will work with the General Department of Vietnam Customs (GDVC) to strengthen the National Trade Facilitation Committee (NTFC) of Vietnam and its Working Groups; streamline border clearance procedures including Specialized Inspection (SI) implemented by other line ministries and agencies; harmonize the implementation of risk-based approaches between national and provincial levels; train national and provincial customs officers and staff from other ministries on risk management; and facilitate dialogue between customs and business and between stakeholders in Hanoi and in the provinces.
Activity Background:
Objective: The activity aims to provide technical assistance in reviewing the draft ‘Decree on schedules of import tariffs and preferential import tariffs, list of goods and its flat tax, compound tariff, and out-of-quota import tariff', content prior to submission to the Government (by October 2022). The new Draft Decree will incorporate updates of the ASEAN Harmonized Tariff Nomenclature (AHTN) 2022 and of preferential tariffs, creating an integrated tariff. An integrated tariff will mean users (Customs, Trade. Brokers, Freight Forwarders, other Line Ministries etc.) will be able to refer to a single source for the required information, thus facilitating both Trade and Government users.
Background: On March 8, 2022, the Government issued Resolution No. 29/NQ-CP approving the ASEAN Harmonized Tariff Nomenclature 2022 (AHTN 2022), in which stipulated that “the Ministry of Finance organizes and coordinates with relevant Ministries and agencies to implement AHTN 2022”. At the same time, in Resolution no. 01/NQ-CP on the important missions and measures to implement socio-economic development plan and state budget estimation for 2022, the Government assigned the Ministry of Finance to research, develop, and submit to the Government for the issuance of new Decree on schedules of import tariffs and preferential import tariffs, list of goods and its flat tax, compound tariff, and out- of - quota import tariff in October 2022.
The Ministry of Finance has developed a draft Decree, replacing:
- Decree No. 122/2016/ND-CP dated September 01, 2016, schedules of import tariffs and preferential import tariffs, list of goods and its flat tax, compound tariff, and out-of- quota import tariff [1]; and
- 3 supporting decrees
- Decree 125/2017/ND-CP
- Decree 57/2020/ND-CP
- Decree 101/2021/ND-CP.
This activity is critical in the execution of Vietnam’s commitments in harmonizing goods classification with other ASEAN countries and improving tariff schedules transparency. Further, this decree strengthens and facilitates Vietnam-ASEAN trade activities and the customs clearance process by combining information into one document, an integrated tariff. In order to finalize the draft Decree, the Department of Tax policy, MOF has requested assistance from the USAID Trade Facilitation Program in the organization of focused workshops with the participation of the MOF, relevant line ministries, GDVC, and selected business associations.
Methodology: The Program will mobilize a National STTA Tariff Expert to provide technical assistance and support for participants in reviewing and developing the draft Decree. Two workshops will be organized to collect inputs from the stakeholders:
- Workshop 1: tentatively June 2022
- Workshop 2: July 2022
The number of participants for each 2–3-day workshop will be 25-30 people.
National STTA Tariff expert: In collaboration with the Program’s Senior Trade Facilitation Expert (STFE) and Legal & Regulatory Expert, the National STTA Tariff expert will work closely with the Department of Tax Policy, MOF and as necessary, consult with other technical departments, other government agencies, and private sector. The National STTA Tariff Expert may also be required to cooperate and work in collaboration with other members of the Program team to undertake this activity.
Tasks & Responsibilities:
The National STTA Tariff expert will be responsible for the following:
- Review and comment on the draft Decree based on AHTN 2022 prior to issuance;
- Collaborate with relevant private sector stakeholders before the workshops to discuss and collect information on problems of import-export tax;
- Ensure active participate of workshop participants, providing technical inputs and to presenting key findings and recommendations (if any) to the draft Decree; and, to facilitate discussion between private sector and governmental stakeholders, supporting questions and seeking relevant answers;
- Follow up with the MOF and relevant stakeholders on all pending issues not addressed at the workshops, to further complete the draft Decree;
- Produce a Final Report containing details of all work carried out and recommendations (if any).
Deliverables:
- Identification of any problems relating to import-export tax based on new AHTN 2022, through review of the new draft Decree and discussion with relevant stakeholders including the business sector;
- Attend and facilitate the two workshops, making presentation of any identified import-export tariff problems as required; act as a facilitator to ensure maximum participation and discussion;
- Following up with the MOF and relevant stakeholders on all pending issues not addressed at the working sessions so as to further complete the draft Decree;
- Final Report containing details of all work carried out, including suggestions or proposals for improvement and identification of issues (if any) remaining unresolved following the workshops.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor degree or higher in customs administration, business administration, trade policy, international trade, economics, or similar field;
- Demonstrated experience and track record of working or collaborating with the Ministry of Finance, particularly on import/export tax-related topics;
- Proven knowledge and understanding of import-export tariff, including HS Classification; the AHTN; import and export controls and other related technical matters.
- Awareness of the WCO and WTO instruments such as the Revised Kyoto Convention (RKC) and the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA);
- Capable in word processing, spreadsheets and office software such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Google Applications;
- Fluency in Vietnamese and good written, oral, and presentation skills; and
- English language skills preferred.
Reporting:
The Local/National STTA Tariff expert will be required to report to the Program’s STFE ([email protected] [2]) and on a daily basis to the Legal & Regulatory Expert ([email protected] [3]).
How to apply:
Applications should be sent no later than May 31, 2022 to email: [email protected] [4]