Coordinate scanning to control the risk of violation

Mobile container scanning machine is performed screening at Tan Vu port, Hai Phong. Photo: Thái Bình

Perform role of coordinator

According to the Risk Management Department (General Department of Vietnam Customs), the selection and inspection of container scanning on the sea route, the unit has chaired to coordinate and guide the scanning activities at local customs departments. Accordingly, advising the General Department of Vietnam Customs to process selecting and coordinating to scan import-export goods using container scanning machines; coordinating and consulting on strengthening the control and inspection for storage at ports that exceed 30 days but have not carried out customs procedures; working with the Customs Control and Supervision Department (General Department of Vietnam Customs) to develop guidance on scanning goods stored at ports that exceed 30 days but have not carried out customs procedures.

In addition, the Department has received information about requesting to perform scanning from professional units. Then, conducting a review, inspection and assigning to carry out scanning in order to ensure the principle of one container is scanned at one place.

At the same time, the unit has worked with the Customs IT and Statistics Department (General Department of Vietnam Customs) to post the list of scanning containers on the website of the General Department of Vietnam Customs (address: http://tongcuc.customs.gov.vn).

The focal points of the Department also monitor container scanning in order to discuss and coordinate with local customs departments to handle arising problems; regulating the volume of containers amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Along with that, focal points of the Risk Management Department also coordinate regularly with customs branches and customs enforcement units to regulate scanned goods in order to facilitate enterprises in carrying out scanning through container scanning machines located at seaports and locations outside border gates by following the transportation route and enterprises’ request.

In 2021, through the inspection of goods by container scanning machines (according to Decision No. 3272/QD-TCHQ and Decision No. 2218/QD-TCHQ), the entire Customs sector scanned a total of 121,379 containers (an average of 440 containers/day); detected 6,921 suspicious containers (accounting for 5.7% of total scanned containers), detected violations of 712 containers (accounting for 10.29% of total suspicious containers).

Through inspecting container of blood cockle, HCM City Customs discovered more than 20 smuggled items such as seahorse, bird nest crumbs... Photo: Thu Hòa

Detecting banned goods

Compared to 2020, the total volume of scanned containers was 2.11 times higher; the volume of suspicious containers increased by 3.18 times; the number of violating containers increased 3.08 times.

In particular, the number of containers in Lang Son increased by 4.35 times; Ho Chi Minh City increased 3.36 times; Dong Nai increased 2.19 times; Hai Phong increased 2.05 times; Hanoi increased 1.57 times; and Da Nang increased by 1.44 times.

In addition, the number of violating containers through selection and screening in most areas has increased significantly compared to 2020.

For example, Ho Chi Minh City Customs Department increased 28.58 times, with 343 violating containers; Hai Phong Customs Department increased 3.33 times, with 270 violating containers; Dong Nai Customs Department increased 8.75 times, with 35 violating containers; Da Nang Customs Department increased 4.2 times, with 21 violating containers; and Lang Son Customs Department increased 1.5 times, with 12 violating containers.

From the information designated for scanning by the Risk Management Department, the local Customs forces discovered 383 violating containers and 91 cases of enterprises showing signs of correcting declarations many times, declaring an increase in the number of goods lines, and increase in the tax rate. In which, in seaport areas, the Customs force has detected many cases of illegal transportation of banned goods.

For example, from the information designated for conducting scanning by the Risk Management Department for the import shipment of Vietseatrust Food Import-Export Business Co., Ltd., Ho Chi Minh City Customs Department detected 20 smuggled items with more than 500kg of dried seahorse; 240kg of dried abalone; 100kg of dried leafy seadragon; 120kg of dried gills (questionable Manta ray gill comb); nearly 170kg of animal bones, horns, claws and fangs (suspected of being from wild animals); nearly 90kg of cut wood (suspected of being lagarwood); 800kg of frozen squid; 40 boxes of auto and motorcycle spare parts; and 40 crates of moving assets.

Similarly, Hai Phong Customs Department discovered that the shipment consisted of four containers containing goods banned from import, including used machinery, dismantled, broken, and used auto parts, used tables and chairs.