Concern for anti-smuggling control on Route 9

Much of the building has degraded. Picture: Quang Hung.

ruined after dissolution

By the end of 10/2017, Lao Bao Customs Department of the Trade Zone (under Quang Tri Customs Department) decided to dissolve. After more than 10 years of operation (from 2005), Lao Bao Special Economic - Commercial Area removed the mechanism of special preferential policies. The exchanging of goods and services at Lao Bao Special Economic - Commercial Area are no longer conducted with preferential policies such as non - tariff areas (according to the Law on Export Tax and Tax NK effective 1/9/2016) for export and import relations to enjoy.

Head office "Customs Department of Lao Cai Securities" after nearly 1 year of dissolution. Picture: Quang Hung.

According to the reporter, it is known that the entire headquarters of the Customs Sub-Department of Lao Bao Commercial Area was handed over to the local authorities. However, no unit has taken over and put it into use.

In the last days of August, the Customs Newspaper correspondent was present at the headquarters of the Customs Sub-Department of the Trade Zone. Broken, sleazy, many structural items are clearly damaged. Broken glass windows and doors.

Unlike the previous image, when we used to stop here we always experienced the bustle of means of transportation and passengers with goods travelling through gate B - located on highway 9. It also served as a destination for dozens of representatives of enterprises, organizations and individuals to come for customs procedures, as well as to collaborate.

All means through this area were subject to inspection and supervision by the customs forces and Border guards 24/7. This ensured the regulations on management of export goods and means of transport, particularly the coordination of control against smuggling and trade fraud through the area. The worry of controlling smuggled goods Located about 500 meters away (heading to Dong Ha town, Quang Tri province), we visited the customs inspection team (Customs Department of Quang Tri). Nearly 40 officials and civil servants of the team are divided into two teams: advising and maneuvering to carry out the task of controlling the fight against smuggling and illegal transportation of goods through the Customs Sub-Department of Lao Bao International Border Gate and Route 9, as well as advising the leaders of the Department in this work.

In the team’s storeroom of confiscated exhibits, we see dozens of commodities including: White Diameter Thailand; tobacco, foreign wine; cosmetics, milk, tobacco, wood ... that are pending procedures. These materials were captured by customs forces just a few months ago, with the bulk of sugar, cigarettes and milk coming from Thailand...

Staff of Customs Control Team inspect recent material arrested for evidence. Picture: Quang Hung

Head of the Customs Control Team Le Chi To fears: Smuggling and illegal transportation of goods through the management unit takes place mainly on both sides of National Road 9 and on route 9. In the past, 100% of vehicles passing through gate B area had functional forces blocking, checking and controlling, so stealthy objects transported goods by forest roads.

However, recently, instead of carrying smuggled goods piggy back across the forest, trails and openings on either side of gate B, the smugglers use Route 9. More sophisticated and to mislead the competent forces, there are objects that also use 4-seater cars to transport illegal goods, especially for foreign imported smuggled goods. ”The information for the volume of private vehicles traveling eastwards is not clear, the forces, including the Customs cannot control the smugglers using domestic cars," Le Chi added.