VNACCS/VCIS is the unified national electronic customs declaration system that every import/export business in Vietnam must use. From 1 February 2026, the requirements for registering connection to the system changed significantly (VNeID accounts now accepted). This article summarizes what businesses need to know under current law.
What is VNACCS/VCIS?
VNACCS stands for Vietnam Automated Cargo And Port Consolidated System; VCIS stands for Vietnam Customs Intelligence Information System (the customs professional-information database). The system was built with ODA funding from the Government of Japan, on Japanese customs technology.
Note the official name: some news sites write “Vietnam Automated Cargo Clearance System” — an unofficial variant; the correct name uses “And Port Consolidated System”.
Rollout milestones: handed over on 25 April 2014, rolled out from April 2014, and completed at all 34 provincial/municipal Customs Departments nationwide on 25 June 2014. It remains the unified national e-customs declaration system.
Legal basis for electronic customs procedures
- Article 8 of the Customs Law 2014 (54/2014/QH13) — “Modernization of customs management”: organizations and individuals engaged in import/export are responsible for participating in building and carrying out electronic transactions and electronic customs procedures.
- Article 25 of Decree 08/2015/ND-CP: customs declarations are made electronically. (Note: Article 25 of the Customs Law 2014 governs the deadline for submitting customs dossiers, not electronic declaration — do not confuse the two.)
Requirements for declaring via the system (latest version)
Under Clause 5, Article 6 of Circular 38/2015/TT-BTC (amended by Circular 121/2025/TT-BTC, issued 18 December 2025, effective 1 February 2026), organizations and individuals must:
- Register to connect to the System to be granted an access account and connection information — VNeID accounts may be used for registration; promptly notify any change, addition or cancellation of registration information;
- Equip compliant technical infrastructure;
- Use e-customs declaration software provided by the customs authority, or software inspected and certified by the Customs Authority as suitable and compatible with the System.
What’s new in digitalization from 1 February 2026
Circular 121/2025/TT-BTC introduces notable changes:
- VNeID digital-identity accounts may be used to register connection to the customs system;
- A 60-day window after clearance for businesses to self-amend errors before the customs authority issues an inspection decision;
- Tax exchange rates published weekly.
Because connection-registration rules changed on 1 February 2026, older guides (pre-2026) on VNACCS account registration may be outdated in detail — businesses should follow Article 6 of Circular 38/2015/TT-BTC as last amended.
What businesses need to prepare
- A digital signature from a licensed trusted service provider (see our article on digital signatures in e-customs declarations);
- Registration of an admin account and users on the system (business code OE1001 on the customs portal) to obtain a User ID and Terminal ID;
- Declaration software: the customs authority’s free software or certified third-party software;
- The certificate serial number on the USB Token must match the registered serial.
Core functions
- Automatic receipt, assessment and analysis of declaration information;
- Automatic determination of duty rates by HS code (including special preferential rates under FTAs), tax calculation and declaration storage;
- Inspection channeling (green/yellow/red) based on risk management.
Operational status: VNACCS/VCIS still running normally
As of October 2026, VNACCS/VCIS is still operating normally and has not been replaced. The customs sector is building a new digital-customs IT system to replace VNACCS/VCIS in the future — currently at the construction stage, with no cut-over timeline announced. Businesses should disregard claims that VNACCS “has ceased operating”.
Backup system: when VNACCS/VCIS is paused for maintenance, businesses switch to the Ecustoms system (Ecus6) under Decision 1228/QD-CHQ dated 13 August 2025 of the Customs Authority.
Note on the current customs organizational structure
From 1 March 2025, there is no longer a General Department of Customs — the new organization is the Customs Authority under the Ministry of Finance (Decree 29/2025/ND-CP); regional Customs Sub-departments replace the former provincial/municipal Customs Departments. New articles and guides should not use “General Department of Customs” for the current organization.
Frequently asked questions
What does VNACCS stand for?
Vietnam Automated Cargo And Port Consolidated System.
Can VNeID be used to register VNACCS connection?
Yes. From 1 February 2026, Circular 121/2025/TT-BTC allows VNeID accounts for registering connection to the customs system.
Has VNACCS been replaced?
No. As of October 2026 it operates normally; the replacement digital-customs system is under construction with no announced cut-over timeline.
Where to declare when VNACCS is under maintenance?
Switch to the Ecustoms system (Ecus6) under Decision 1228/QD-CHQ dated 13 August 2025 of the Customs Authority.
Legal references
- Customs Law 2014 (54/2014/QH13), Article 8;
- Decree 08/2015/ND-CP, Article 25;
- Circular 38/2015/TT-BTC, Article 6 (amended by Circular 121/2025/TT-BTC, effective 1 February 2026);
- Decree 29/2025/ND-CP on the organization of the Customs Authority;
- Decision 1228/QD-CHQ dated 13 August 2025.
This information is for reference only and does not constitute legal advice. Registration steps on the customs portal are practical administrative procedures whose interface may change — businesses should check current regulations.
If your business needs support registering for or connecting to the e-customs declaration system, contact FLAT Law Firm for advice.
For reference only, not legal advice. Content quality-checked by the AI Legal Council; not yet reviewed by a human lawyer.
