Local/National STTA Import - Export Duties Expert

USAID Trade Facilitation Program

SCOPE OF WORK

Technical assistance to support dissemination of the new nomenclature of imports and exports (Circular 31/2022/TT-BTC) and the new tariff Decree of Vietnam

Proposed Personnel:           Local/National STTA Import-Export Duties Expert

Period of Performance:       o/a 09 November – 15 December 2022

Level of Effort:                    

Origin/Destination:             Hanoi, Vietnam

Travel Dates:                       n/a

Activity No.                          FY23-3.5.1 - Develop Vietnam’s Imports-Exports Nomenclature

MEL indicator(s):                 P-1, IR1-1, IR1.2-2, IR3.1-1, IR3.1-2, IR4.1-1, IR4.1-2, 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 aim is to provide further technical assistance and support to the Ministry of Finance (MOF) and GDVC to disseminate the new list of imports and exports of Vietnam (Circular 31/2022/TT-BTC dated 08 June 2022) and the new tariff Decree of Vietnam which will be effective on December 1, 2022.

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 issued Circular No. 31/2022/TT-BTC dated 08 June 2022 publishing the nomenclature of imports and exports of Vietnam. The new Tariff Decree which is developed based on the new AHTN 2022 will be issued soon.

The Import-Export Duties Department of GDVC has now requested further support from the USAID Trade Facilitation Program to assist with the dissemination of Circular 31 and the new Tariff Decree to private sector stakeholders before they enter into force on 1 December 2022. The dissemination activity includes two workshops in Quang Ninh and Ho Chi Minh City tentatively proposed to be held in the second half of November 2022.

Methodology: The Program will mobilize a Local/National CCN STTA Import-Export Duties Expert to provide technical assistance and support to the GDVC to support the dissemination activity of Circular 31 and the new Tariff Decree to the private sector stakeholders.

National STTA Import-Export Duties Expert: In collaboration with the Program’s Senior Trade Facilitation Expert (STFE) and Legal & Regulatory Expert, the Local/National STTA Import-Export Duties Expert will work closely with Import-Export Duties Department of GDVC and Tax Policy Department of MOF and as necessary, consult with other technical departments of GDVC. The National Import-Export Duties 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 Local/National STTA Import-Export Duties Expert will be responsible for the following:

1. Review and comment on Circular 31 and the new Tariff Decree;
2. Collaborate with relevant private sector stakeholders before dissemination workshops to discuss and collect details of practical and significant issues and to gather feedback and comments in preparation for implementation of Circular 31 and the new Tariff Decree;
3. Actively participate in dissemination workshops tentatively in Quang Ninh and HCMC in November 2022 so as: to provide technical inputs and to present key findings in preparation for implementation of Circular 31 and the new Tariff Decree; and to facilitate discussion with private sector stakeholders to support questions and seeking answers related to Circular 31 and the new Tariff Decree;
4. Follow up with the MOF and GDVC on all pending issues not addressed at the dissemination workshops to further inform Private Sector stakeholders;
5. Produce a Final Report containing details of all work carried out and proposals for improved implementation of Circular 31 and the new Tariff Decree.

Deliverables:

• Research paper(s) containing findings from review of Circular 31 and the new Tariff Decree, practical and significant issues, and feedback and comments from the Private Sector in preparation for implementation of Circular 31 and the new Tariff Decree;
• Active participation at dissemination workshops to facilitate discussion and making presentations of expert’s findings from review of Circular 31 and the new Tariff Decree, practical and significant issues, and feedback and comments from the Private Sector on Circular 31 and the new Tariff Decree;
• Written report on all pending issues on all pending issues not addressed at the dissemination workshops to further inform Private Sector stakeholders;
• Final Report containing details of all work carried out and suggestions or proposals for improved implementation of Circular 31 and the new Tariff Decree.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor degree or higher in customs administration, business administration, trade policy, international trade, economics, or similar field;
• Experience and track record of working or collaborating with Customs in Vietnam;
• Proven knowledge and understanding of customs and non-customs procedures including import and export duties and other technical customs 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 CCN STTA Import-Export Duties Expert will be required to report periodically to the Program’s STFE ([email protected]) and on a daily basis to the Legal & Regulatory Expert ([email protected]).

How to apply

Proposals should be submitted to [email protected] no later than November 3, 2022

1. Cover letter (no longer than 1 page)
2. CVs (see attached template); 
3. Updated USAID 1420 form (see attached template)
4. Cost proposal (See attached template)”