MoF urges simpler customs procedures Customs Department officers in northern Lang Son Province inspect exported products. The General Department of Customs is trying to facilitate import-export activities. - VNA/VNS Photo Hoang Hung HA NOI  (VNS) - The Ministry of Finance (MoF) has asked 11 concerned ministries to join hands in simplifying administrative procedures to create the most favourable conditions for import-export activities. In particular, the MoF has asked the ministries to review and issue their list of import-export items to be subjected to quarantine to avoid environmental pollution, including animals, plants and health care products, as well as toxic chemicals and pesticides. Upon the request of the MoF, the General Department of Customs (GDC) has made every effort to shorten customs declaration procedures to make it easier for businesses. In recent years, the GDC finished a draft plan to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of specialised inspections of imports and exports at the border gates with new features to facilitate and manage import and export activities. The draft plan aims to set up specialised inspection centres at the border gates, where a large volume of imports and exports need to be checked every day. Under the plan, from now till 2020, the GDC will focus on building two centres in the cities of Hai Phong and HCM and three others at mainland border gates in the northern provinces of Quang Ninh, Lang Son and Lao Cai. Customs staff are required to conduct specialised inspections by using optimised processes to get quick and accurate results and shorten customs clearance time for businesses. On the other hand, importers and exporters with specialised goods for inspection should go through such centres to make the process quick and easy for them. - VNS