Budget Revenue from Trade Rises over 27%

State budget revenue collected from imports and exports reached VND34,751 billion from May 1 to May 31, 2021, totaling VND158,693 billion in the year to May 31, equal to 50.3% of the full-year estimated value and up 27.65% from the same period of 2020.

The increase was partly attributed to trade inspection to prevent commercial fraudulence in customs. In the month, illegal narcotic trafficking, delivered by air, express delivery and postal services, from European countries to Vietnam tended to rise. Drugs were sophisticatedly hidden in the form of gifts, new medicines and canned milk to circumvent enforcement forces.

In the face of complicated forms, nature and extent of violations and methods of tricks, the General Department of Customs launched some plans and gave instructions to local customs agencies to promptly detect, prevent and handle violations. For example, Official Letter 2170/TCHQ-DTCBL dated May 11, 2021 requested the Ba Ria - Vung Tau Customs Department to settle existing goods at Cai Mep Port.

As a result, from April 16, 2021 to May 15, 2021, the customs sector worked with relevant bodies to discover and seize a total of 1,228 cases of violation with items valued over VND154 billion. The budget revenue added was VND18 billion. Customs authorities prosecuted two cases, transferred them to other relevant bodies for prosecution of 10 cases. In the year to May 15, State budget revenue was added by more than VND82 billion, new cases of violation were prosecuted and 38 cases were transferred to other bodies for further settlement.

By Le Hien, Vietnam Business Forum