(VOVworld) – The one-stop-shop customs model between Vietnam and Laos was first implemented at the Dansavan-Lao Bao international border checkpoint. Under this model, Lao and Vietnamese customs personnel together check all people and goods at one point only. Vinh Phong reports:

Vietnam’s Lao Bao international border checkpoint in Quang Tri province is connected with Laos’ Dansavan international border checkpoint in Savannakhet province on the East-West Economic Corridor. In 2005 Vietnam and Laos signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the Single Windows Inspection or Single Stop Inspection Model to be deployed at the Dansavan-Lao Bao international border checkpoint. This model saves traders a lot of time and money as they only have to stop once for checks. Dinh Ngoc Thanh, head of the Customs Department at the Lao Bao international border checkpoint said that this model was part of their administrative reform effort, which has also strengthened cooperation between relevant Vietnamese and Lao agencies: “This model has been effective in the prevention of smuggling and trade fraud. The countries’ relevant agencies have shared information so that we could determine appropriate solutions. The number of smuggling cases has reduced significantly since this year.”

Thanh said that Vietnamese and Lao customs, border security, and quarantine forces work together, making customs clearance a lot quicker: “The Dansavan-Lao Bao international border checkpoint is the only checkpoint in Vietnam that works continually from 7AM to 10PM. We work long hours because the amount of goods and the number of people going through the East-West Economic Corridor is huge. We try to clear customs procedures for import-export businesses within a day.”

Xayavong Phanith, a manager at Laos’ Dansavan international border checkpoint said that the one-stop-shop model has been a success thanks to effective cooperation between the two sides: “Vietnamese and Lao customs, border security, and police forces have worked closely together to facilitate customs clearance. The cooperative working spirit is high. We have received due attention from both governments.”

Nguyen Minh Tan of the Hoa Loi import-export company said businesses are very thankful for the changes: “This model saves us a lot of time for customs clearance. Customs officials are very helpful and enthusiastic.”