Strengthening Freight Inspection, Control and Supervision

In an effort to conduct customs inspection and supervision of shipped goods subject to customs supervision, the General Department of Vietnam Customs asked its subordinate units not to allow loading and unloading goods onto vehicles disqualified or uncertified to operate in customs supervision areas; deploy the sealing of electronic route positioning on container carriers; and raise the awareness and sense of responsibility of public servants in the sector.

In order to step up freight inspection, supervision and control and prevent fraudulence in the course of transporting goods subject to customs supervision, on February 11, 2020, the General Department issued a document to request provincial/municipal customs departments to direct their attached units to perform some specific contents.

For transport means carrying imported and exported goods subject to customs supervision: Identifying abnormal signs that may result from external interference to replace and withdraw goods in the course of transportation. Accordingly, transport means carrying goods subject to customs supervision must meet sealing and customs supervision requirements. Specifically, containers carrying goods subject to customs supervision must meet sealing and customs supervision conditions as certified by competent authorities.

Trucks carrying goods subject to customs supervision must meet customs sealing and supervision requirements: Containers of goods are not punctured or torn; and locks, handles and pins work with seals of customs authorities.

Besides, customs agencies are applying Decision 138/QD-TCHQ dated January 21, 2020 of the General Director of the General Department of Customs on professional process of managing and using electronic positioning seal in supervision of goods subject to customs supervision transported by containers and are working with relevant units to handle fraud committed by enterprises in the course of transporting goods.

In addition, customs units have informed and warned of fraudulent swaps and withdrawals discovered by customs authorities, raised the sense of responsibility of customs officers in the fight against smuggling and trade fraudulence; implemented guiding documents of the General Department on smuggling prevention and control.

The Legal Department under the General Department of Customs will work with the units of and under the General Department of Customs to study and propose additional administrative sanctions in the customs field, namely raising the level of penalties against the current framework for violations in the process of transporting goods.

By L.H Vietnam Business Forum