Our member, The Lao National Single Window (LNSW) launches “single window” customs system at second border crossing. The system has been put into operation at the Boten International Customs Checkpoint in Luang Namtha province and is the second to be installed after the first system was set up at the Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge 1 International Customs Checkpoint in June 2019.
The modern, centrally-operated and efficient system was initiated at Boten by the Ministry of Finance on May 23, to streamline the import and export of goods at this busy border crossing between Laos and China.
The Boten International Checkpoint is the second-largest import and export border in Laos. Imports and exports at other international borders are still processed manually.
Business operators who are not yet familiar with the Lao National Single Window system or registered to use it should take steps to use it immediately, the Ministry of Finance said, issuing the instruction through the Ministry of Industry and Commerce.
Business operators who are not yet familiar with the Lao National Single Window system or registered to use it should take steps to use it immediately, the Ministry of Finance said, issuing the instruction through the Ministry of Industry and Commerce.
Importers and exporters must pay tariffs, taxes, fees and service charges electronically at service units of the Banque pour le Commerce Exterieur Lao Public (BCEL) and the Lao Development Bank (LDB), using Smart tax, i-Banking, BCEL One Corporate Banking, money transfer, or cheque.
The Boten border crossing is a key location for travel and trade between Laos and China. In addition, the opening of the Laos-China Railway in December was a significant boost to trade between the two countries and the value of trade has soared. The total value of trade (imports and exports) in the first four months of this year climbed to US$4.2 billion, with China becoming a major export market for Lao goods, especially agricultural products.
Using the Lao National Single Window system, business operators electronically submit the forms needed for the import, export and transit of goods on a one-time basis. These are processed and cleared by government agencies in an integrated manner, resulting in time and cost savings.
The system shows Laos is keen to move towards more electronically controlled methods to facilitate trade in a transparent and accountable manner, thereby generating more income for the national budget.
The “single window” system enables cross-border traders to submit regulatory documents at a single location and/or single entity.
Such documents are typically customs declarations, applications for import/export permits, and other supporting documents such as certificates of origin and trading invoices.
It is anticipated that the Lao National Single Window system will help to improve the ease of doing business in Laos and increase trade with other Asean countries and partners outside the region.
Source: Vientiane Times
