Which Goods Are Prioritized for Customs Clearance in Lao Cai during Covid-19 Epidemic Outbreak?

Backlogged agricultural exports and fresh agricultural and seafood products are given first priority to get through Lao Cai border gates. Accordingly, exports prioritized for clearance include agricultural and seafood products queuing at border gates, fresh agricultural and aquatic products and other goods.

By order of priority, officially licensed exports and imports will take precedence in customs clearance.

The order of customs clearance for imported goods is machinery and equipment for construction and installation of domestic factories; chemicals, coke, inputs, fuels and materials for domestic manufacturing factories; backlogged fresh agricultural and aquatic products with completed customs clearance at Ha Khau Border Gate; and goods that can be directly disinfected and sterilized.

Imported goods must meet epidemic prevention criteria; be strictly managed and supervised by health authorities; ensure the complete elimination of disease transmission risks.

The Lao Cai Provincial People's Committee assigned the Economic Zones Authority to coordinate with the Plant Quarantine Office Region 8 and relevant agencies to flow transport means carrying exports of Vietnam (mainly agricultural products) that the Chinese side imports in the form of official quota and border trade.

In particular, there is no quantity limit on transport means carrying goods of Vietnam formally imported to China. Means of transport carrying Vietnam’s goods, which the Chinese side imports in the form of border trade (cross-border trade by inhabitants) will be rationally regulated according to China’s notices and exchanges.

Facing the complicated development of Covid - 19 epidemic, Lao Cai province is actively and creatively seeking solutions to control imports and exports flexibly but strictly to ensure complete epidemic prevention at international border gates.

From February 8, authorities of Lao Cai have conducted customs clearance for nearly 1,000 vehicles carrying exports, mostly dragon fruit. Import and export activities are mainly performed at the Kim Thanh International Border Gate.

By Hien Le, Vietnam Business Forum