The figures were released at a conference in Hanoi on November 24 to review the implementation of tasks for 2006 and work out tasks for 2007.

2006 is the eight consecutive year the customs sector has fulfilled and surpassed the yearly target set by the National Assembly, said Nguyen Ngoc Tuc, Deputy Director General of the Vietnam General Department of Customs.

Mr Tuc attributed the success to an increase in tax collection from the import of used cars, the value added tax and the special consumption tax, administrative reform, the fight against smuggling and trade fraud, and post-clearance examination.

In 2007, Mr Tuc said the sector will strive to contribute VND69.9 trillion to the State budget.