MOIT’s Specialized Inspection Expert

USAID Trade Facilitation Program

SCOPE OF WORK

Reviewing HS Codes for the List of Category 2 goods and List of goods subject
to specialized inspection under Ministry of Industry and Trade

Proposed Personnel:        National STTA MOIT’s Specialized Inspection Expert
Period of Performance:    3 October – 31 November 2022
Level of Effort:       
Origin/Destination:          Hanoi, Vietnam
Travel Dates:                   n/a
Activity No.                      FY22-1.3.4 – Specialized inspection reform with the MOIT
MEL indicator(s):             IR1.1, IR1.2-2, IR3.1-4 and CBLD-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 technical assistance and support to the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) to review and amend the HS codes for Category 2 goods and goods subject to specialized inspection which are regulated by MOIT as required in Circular 31/2022/TT-BTC of MOF.

Background: On 8 June 2022, the Ministry of Finance (MOF) issued Circular No. 31/2022/TT-BTC (or Circular 31) promulgating the List of export-import goods of Vietnam which replaces Circular 65/2017/Tt-BTC and Circular No. 09/2019/TT-BTC. Circular 31 shall enter into effect on 01 December 2022. On 20 June 2022, MOF issued Document No. 5835/BTC-TCHQ requesting line ministries to complete the specialized lists of goods according to the List of export-import goods of Vietnam in Circular 31.

Previously, MOIT had issued the list of Category 2 goods in the annex of Circular No. 33/2017/TT-BCT dated 28 December 2017 (or Circular 33) which includes hazardous goods such as inflammable chemicals, industrial equipment, electronic machines and components, etc. regulated by MOIT as defined at Circular No. 65/2017/TT-BTC of MOF (or Circular 65). The List was then revised by Decision No. 1182/Q?-BCT (or Decision 1182) dated 06 April 2021 to respond to new adjustments to the HS codes defined in the List of import-export goods stipulated at Circular No. 09/2019/TT-BTC dated 15 February 2019 of MOF, which modified Circular 65.
MOIT is seeking support to refine the existing lists of import-export goods subject to specialized inspection by MOIT stipulated at the Annex of Circular 33 and Annex 1 of Decision 1182.

Methodology: The TFP Program will mobilize one National STTA MOIT’s Specialized Inspection Expert to provide technical assistance and support to MOIT to review the HS Codes of the Category 2 goods currently mentioned in the Annex of Circular No. 33/2017/TT-BCT dated 28 December 2017 and Decision No. 1182/Q?-BCT dated 06 April 2021 of MOIT to conform with the instructions in Circular No. 31/2022/TT-BTC of MOF.

Local/National Market regulation Expert. In collaboration with the Program’s Chief of Party and Legal & Regulatory Expert, the National STTA MOIT’s Specialized Inspection Expert will work closely with the Science and Technology Department of the MOIT and as necessary, consult with other technical departments of MOIT, relevant line ministries, customs authority. The Local/National Market Regulation Expert may also be required to work in collaboration with other members of the Program team to undertake this activity.

Tasks & Responsibilities:

The National STTA MOIT’s Specialized Inspection Expert will be responsible for the following tasks:

• Desk study: review the HS codes defined in the two lists of Category 2 (hazardous) goods regulated by MOIT which are issued in the Annex of Circular No. 33/2017/TT-BCT and Annex 1 of Decision No. 1182/QD-BCT of MOIT and relevant technical documents;
• Interview relevant line agencies, ministries to determine necessary adjustments and changes to the above lists;
• Present proposed potential adjustments/supplements for the existing HS codes defined in the above lists to ensure conformity with Circular No. 31/2022/TT-BTC of MOF at the workshop/focus working group of MOIT and relevant stakeholders and collect comments and feedbacks for the proposal;
• Consolidate the results and finalize the Category 2 goods HS codes list to submit to MOIT for further consideration;
• Develop a detailed report to summarize the working process and results and propose recommendation for similar updating tasks regarding Category 2 goods in the future.

Deliverables:

• Report on reviewing the HS codes defined in the two lists of Category 2 (hazardous) goods regulated by MOIT which are issued in the Annex of Circular No. 33/2017/TT-BCT and Annex 1 of Decision No. 1182/QD-BCT of MOIT and relevant technical documents
• Actively participating in the workshop/focus working group of MOIT and relevant stakeholders to present proposed potential adjustments/supplements for the existing HS codes defined in the above lists to ensure conformity with Circular No. 31/2022/TT-BTC of MOF and collecting comments and feedbacks for the proposal and collect comments and feedbacks for the proposal
• Draft list of revised HS Codes for Category 2 goods which conforms with Circular No. 31/2022/TT-BTC of MOF and covers all the goods regulated under the Annex of Circular No. 33/2017/TT-BCT and Annex 1 of Decision No. 1182/QD-BCT of MOIT;
• Final report containing details of all work carried out, the final list of revised HS codes for Category 2 goods regulated by MOIT and recommendations for similar updating tasks in the future.

Qualifications:

• At least Bachelor degree in international business, law, economics, trade, international trade, public policy, or similar field;
• Experience and track record of working or collaborating with the MOIT and other line ministries responsible for regulating import-export in Vietnam;
• Proven knowledge and understanding of customs and non-customs procedures including Specialized Inspection, risk management, and other technical customs matters;
• Experience in or understanding of free trade agreements;
• Capable in word processing, spreadsheets and office software such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Google Applications;
• Fluency in Vietnamese and English and good written, oral, and presentation skills.

Reporting:

The National STTA MOIT’s Specialized Inspection Expert will be required to report to the Program’s Chief of Party ([email protected]) and Legal & Regulatory Expert ([email protected]).

How to apply:

Proposals should be submitted to [email protected] no later than October 26, 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)”