The Ministry of Industry and Trade has just issued Decision 771/QD-BCT announcing the revised and supplemented administrative procedures in the field of import and export, aiming to continue reforming administrative procedures and facilitating international trade activities for businesses. Accordingly, the Decision announces the list of administrative procedures under the management of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, which have been adjusted and updated according to new legal regulations, while abolishing some outdated provisions. The Decision takes effect from May 1, 2026. Notably, the review and amendments focus on the procedures for issuing Certificates of Origin (C/O) – one of the most important procedures for exporting businesses. According to the attached list, 36 administrative procedures have been amended and supplemented, mainly related to the issuance of preferential and non-preferential Certificates of Origin under free trade agreements (FTAs). The revised Certificate of Origin templates cover many major markets and agreements such as ASEAN, China, South Korea, Japan, the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), etc., along with related procedures for reissuance, post-issuance, back-to-back issuance, and certification of origin for specific cases such as goods from free trade zones and bonded warehouses. In addition, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has also revised the procedures related to granting approval for traders to self-certify the origin of goods within ASEAN. This is a step in line with international trends, contributing to reducing administrative procedures and enhancing the proactive role of businesses. This revision and amendment is based on new legal documents, including Circular No. 12/2026/TT-BCT on the repeal of some outdated regulations, thereby ensuring the consistency and transparency of the legal system in the field of import and export. This move is expected to help shorten processing times, reduce compliance costs for businesses, and enhance the effectiveness of utilizing preferential tariff commitments from the Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) that Vietnam has signed. Against the backdrop of continued strong growth in Vietnam's import and export turnover, administrative procedure reform, particularly in the area of ​​issuing Certificates of Origin, is considered a key factor in helping businesses enhance their competitiveness, expand markets, and participate more deeply in global supply chains.