Border gates in Cao Bang temporarily suspend import and export

Ta Lung border gate area. Photo: T.Bình

The reopening date is unknown

On March 1, talking to Customs News, a representative of Cao Bang Customs Department said that import and export activities through border gates in the area faced many difficulties because the Chinese authority strengthened anti-pandemic measures. From February 1 to February 25, import-export activities only took place at Ta Lung border gate.

At the border gates of Soc Giang (Vietnam) - Binh Mang (China) and Tra Linh (Vietnam) - Long Bang (China) including the opening road of Na Doong (Vietnam) - Na Ray (China), the Chinese authority announced a delay in the time to restore clearance activities at these border gates due to the application of isolation measures in the area of ​​​​Baise city (China) to prevent Covid-19 pandemic.

Regarding the time to restore clearance activities, the Chinese side will announce this later depending on the pandemic situation of Baise city. Up to now, at these two border gates, import-export activities have not been restored by the Chinese side.

As for other border gates in Cao Bang, import-export activities were suspended from 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic (Ly Van, Po Peo, Bi Ha border gates, Na Lan opening road).

On February 25, while carrying out import and export procedures, the Chinese side conducted Covid-19 tests for drivers (from Vietnam) and found one positive case. Next, the Chinese side called the Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control of Quang Hoa District (Cao Bang) about stopping import-export activities at Ta Lung border gate and has not yet announced when it would reopen.

"Thus, all border gates in Cao Bang province were temporarily closed due to the application of anti-pandemic measures by the Chinese side," a representative of Cao Bang Customs Department said.

As of the end of February 27, at Ta Lung border gate, the number of vehicles carrying goods in storage was 203 vehicles, with the main export items are: cassava, peeled wood and pepper.

Continue advising many solutions

Before the above developments, Cao Bang Customs Department reported to Cao Bang Provincial People's Committee on the situation at border gates in the province, proposing a number of measures to remove difficulties in import and export activities through the area.

Specifically, for Ta Lung border gate - the border gate with the largest volume of import-export goods in the province, the Chinese authority is temporarily suspending operations, therefore, the People's Committee of Cao Bang province is requested to direct the departments, agencies and competent agencies to study, advise and propose to the province to discuss and agree with the Chinese side to immediately establish a "green zone" (pandemic-free zone) at the Ta Lung border gate (Vietnam) - Thuy Khau (China) under the direction of the Government to facilitate the clearance of import and export goods, means of transport on entry and exit.

At the same time, it must meet the conditions and measures to prevent the Covid-19 pandemic of the two countries.

Cao Bang Customs Department also suggested the People's Committee of Cao Bang province discuss with the Chinese authorities to restore the clearance of import and export goods at the border gates of Soc Giang (Vietnam) - Binh Mang (China) and Tra Linh (Vietnam) - Long Bang (China) including Na Doong (Vietnam) - Na Ray (China) in order to restore clearance activities in the province when the Covid-19 pandemic situation is under control.

At the same time, the People's Committee of Cao Bang province is requested to consider and direct relevant agencies to actively exchange information with the Chinese side on goods control policies, pandemic prevention measures, and freight forwarding plans in order to facilitate import and export activities through the province, as well as improve the clearance capacity at the border gates.