Nine Autos in Transit Confiscated at Hai Phong Port

The Hai Phong Customs Department and the Anti-Smuggling Investigation Department (General Department of Vietnam Customs) worked together to handle 24 transit cars with signs of law violation at Hai Phong Port.

Accordingly, 24 used cars in two consignments were imported from South Korea, with nine being banned from importing. All carried South Korean auto brands like Hyundai Tucson, Hyundai Santa Fe, Kia Sorento and Kia Sportage.

Specifically, from January 4 to 6, 2023, the Customs Inspectorate of the Hai Phong Customs Department coordinated with the Northern Anti-Smuggling Control Team (Team 1, Anti-Smuggling and Investigation Department, General Department of Vietnam Customs) and Hai Phong Port - Customs Office 3 probed two shipments with signs of law violation.

The first shipment with three containers, transported by the He Can Ship, Trip 1019S, departed from Incheon Port (South Korea) to Greenport Port (Hai Phong) on November 4, 2022. The items shown on the bill of lading are 12 used cars.

The second shipment with three containers, transported by Dongjin Continental Ship, Trip 0128W, also departed from Incheon Port to Greenport Port on November 16, 2022. The items on the transport evidence are 12 used cars.

Both shipments are in the name of the consignee, A Au Logistics Joint Stock Company (address: Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi).

According to the examination and inspection results, the first shipment consisted of 12 used cars (four were manufactured in 2016, two in 2017, three in 2018, two in 2020 and one in 2021).

The second shipment included 12 used cars (five were manufactured in 2016, two in 2017, three in 2018, and two in 2019).

Thus, in the above two consignments, nine automobiles made in 2016, more than five years from the year of manufacture to the year of import, were banned from importing as per Appendix I of Decree 69/2018/ND-CP dated May 15, 2018 of the Government.

On February 9, 2023, the Customs Inspectorate (Hai Phong Customs Department) temporarily seized these two shipments for verification and settlement by law.

On March 8, 2023, the Customs Inspectorate (Hai Phong Customs Department) issued decisions on administrative sanctions against A Au Logistics Joint Stock Company for the act of "unauthorized goods in transit”. In addition, the Company was subject to additional penalties, and the confiscation of nine cars.

For the remaining 15 cars, the Customs Inspectorate will continue to work with the Anti-Smuggling and Investigation Department to handle them according to regulations.

By Hien Nam, Vietnam Business Forum