Seaport fee collection

Seven industry associations have proposed postponing the collection of fees for using infrastructure facilities and public services at seaport terminals in HCMC to December 31 instead of April 1.

The seven associations comprise food transparency; textile and garment; leather, footwear and handbags; dairy; plastics; seafood exporters and producers; and handicraft and wood industry.

According to the associations, in the first half of 2021, the pandemic forced many enterprises to suspend their operations while they still had to pay employees’ salaries, service loans and cover storage costs. In October last year, the city reopened its economy, but businesses faced shortages of employees and materials and supply chain disruptions. Since early this year, the maritime transport costs and fuel and material prices surged. Therefore, if the city collects the seaport fee from April 1, it could deliver a blow to enterprises.

Besides proposing the fee collection delay, the seven associations pointed out many issues in the seaport fee collection, such as unreasonable fee levels and overlapping fee collection.

The seaport fee collection has been delayed twice, from July 2021 to October 2021 and then to April 1 this year. The city has been piloting the fee collection from February 16 to March 15 before officially beginning the collection from April 1.

Earlier, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has asked HCMC authorities to consult relevant ministries and agencies as well as business associations before starting the fee collection to ensure harmony of interests with Vietnam’s international commitments and avoid affecting trade relations between Vietnam and her partners.