AsemconnectVietnam - To become an ASEAN Priority Enterprise, Vietnamese priority enterprises will have to pass the assessment and evaluation of regional customs delegations.

Within the framework of the Mutual Recognition Agreement on Priority Enterprises (AEO MRA) between ASEAN countries, on October 7 and 8, 2025, Vietnam Customs organized a Joint Assessment Team on Priority Enterprises in Hanoi with the participation of Customs representatives of ASEAN member countries.
The joint assessment activity marks an important step forward in the process of implementing mutual recognition of priority enterprises with ASEAN countries, while promoting trade facilitation associated with ensuring supply chain security.
The organization of a Joint Assessment Team on Priority Enterprises with ASEAN countries demonstrates Vietnam's commitment to contributing to enhancing security, shortening customs clearance times and promoting intra-bloc trade.
During the assessment process, the countries listened to and discussed Vietnam's AEO Program, including the certification process, assessment criteria and risk management mechanism, and conducted on-site assessments at Toto Vietnam Co., Ltd. (Hanoi) and TNG Investment and Trading Joint Stock Company (Thai Nguyen).
The simultaneous mutual recognition of AEOs by all ASEAN member countries will motivate businesses, attract investment and enhance competitiveness within the bloc, especially in the context of rapid and unpredictable global trade fluctuations.
It is known that the country currently has 74 enterprises applying the AEO regime in the customs sector. However, to become an ASEAN AEO, Vietnamese AEO enterprises will have to pass the assessment and evaluation of regional customs delegations.
Enterprises enjoy many benefits when they are recognized as AEOs. Becoming an ASEAN priority enterprise means that customers of Vietnamese enterprises in the ASEAN region are subject to the same policies that Vietnam Customs applies to Vietnamese enterprises. This means that partners in the region of Vietnamese enterprises benefit.
Becoming an ASEAN priority enterprise also means that Vietnamese enterprises have reached the level of regional enterprises, meeting the strict regulations of customs authorities of countries in the region.
According to the Ministry of Finance, the conditions for applying the priority enterprise regime include: Conditions for compliance with customs laws and tax laws; conditions for export and import turnover; conditions for electronic customs procedures and electronic tax procedures; conditions for payment of exported and imported goods; conditions for internal control systems; conditions for good compliance with accounting and auditing laws.
The validity period of the decision to recognize the priority regime is 3 years. Enterprises can be extended if they continue to meet the conditions, after being re-evaluated by the Customs authority.
Due to the impact of storms and floods, during the recent inspection, the Customs authority conducted online assessments at 2 enterprises. According to the reporter's findings, the Customs authority carefully assessed the production process, management process, security process, and even considered the personnel recruitment process. In addition, there are the complaint handling process, purchasing process, warehouse management process, logistics, etc.
In the context of Thai Nguyen being seriously affected by floods, TNG's participation in the actual assessment of ASEAN Enterprises and preparation and good response to this program is a great effort. This also proves that the enterprise has solid capacity to be ready to rise to become an enterprise with ASEAN scale. According to the plan, the results of the recognition of ASEAN Priority Enterprises will be announced in October.
N.Nga
Source: VITIC/Tinnhanhchungkhoan