Dong Thap Customs: Flexible response to support businesses

	Dong Thap Customs: Actively preventing contraband goods in the last months of the year
	Dong Thap Customs seizes smuggled cigarettes hidden inside straw
	Dong Thap Customs seizes an unknown shipment of cigarettes

Contraband cars seized by the Dong Thap Customs Department

Import and export goods decrease

According to the Dong Thap Customs Department, in the face of complicated developments of the Covid-19 pandemic, from July 15, 2021, goods imported through the Dinh Ba international border gate had been suspended. This is due to the implementation of social distancing measures throughout the province. According to Directives 15 and 16 of the Prime Minister, enterprises at border gates failing to meet the province's requirements of the “three-on-spot” model have not been allowed to work until October 16, 2021

However, from November 4, 2021 to November 17, 2021, goods imported by road through the Dinh Ba international border gate have entered an extended suspension due to the pandemic. From November 18, 2021, the import activities resumed.

Along with that, import and export activities through the Thuong Phuoc international border gate have continued to decrease, as businesses had to change crews when ships entered or exited the border.

The activities of import-export enterprises, especially the customs regime of export processing and the production and export of agricultural and aquatic products also saw a significant decline.

Following regulations over the COVID-19 pandemic, the Dong Thap Customs Department has seriously implemented pandemic preventions and facilitated cross-border import and export activities, to contribute to economic and social development.

In order to support enterprises in production and export activities during the peak time of pandemic prevention and control, the Dong Thap Customs Department has implemented the "three on-the-spot" model to ensure operations at border gates and promptly solve problems arising for enterprises. These problems include, finding locations for customs clearance for vehicles carrying empty containers, removing problems in implementing Decree 18/2021/ND-CP and customs regime codes according to Decision 1357/QD-TCHQ, and the customs procedures for properties of overseas Vietnamese in Cambodia evacuated to Vietnam.

In particular, the Dong Thap Customs Department has made a decision to recognize the physical inspection sites of exported and imported goods at the manufacturing area, upon the requests of ten enterprises and extended requests of five enterprises.

Besides, to reduce procedures and papers, and shorten the time for customs clearance for enterprises, the Dong Thap Customs Department has focused on applying information technology in management and operations. Customs declarations for import and export goods are received 24 hours per day, seven days per week through the automated electronic clearance system. As a result, the customs clearance of import and export goods is always fast, in compliance with regulations, and is highly appreciated by businesses.

From the beginning of 2021 to November 15, the Dong Thap Customs Department completed 13,033 declarations, with turnover reaching 541.12 million USD. Compared with the same period in 2020, this is an increase of 1,067 declarations. In turn, turnover increased by 13.02 million USD. . It is estimated that by the end of December 31, 2021, 15,300 declarations will be made, making up a turnover of 610 million USD.

Ensure budget revenues

Taxable goods in Dong Thap are not significant, found mainly in export processing and production and the export of agricultural and aquatic products, so the department has always faced difficulties in revenues.

In addition, the number of enterprises carrying out import-export procedures through the border gates of the Dong Thap Customs Department since the start of the year, has dropped from 130 enterprises to 36 enterprises.

From the beginning of 2021 to November 15, the Dong Thap Customs Department has processed 13,033 declarations, with a turnover of US$ 541.12 million, rising to 1,067 declarations and US$ 13.02 million in turnover, year- on-year. It is estimated that by the end of December 31, 2021, 15,300 declarations will have been made, with a turnover of US$ 610 million.

Imported goods are mainly garments, shoes, raw materials, raw medical materials, raw ceramic tiles, additives for seafood processing, investment machinery and equipment. The main exports are processed aquatic products, rice, shrimp crackers, consumer products, fruit drinks and dragon fruit.

From early 2021, the Dong Thap Customs Department has made efforts to combat revenue loss and promptly remove obstacles for businesses in order to achieve their target assigned by the General Department of Customs.

Dong Thap Customs discovers several cases of storage and transporting smuggled goods

From the start of the year to November 10, 2021, the Dong Thap Customs Department contributed to the State budget VND155.53 billion. This is up 148.13% of the target assigned by the Ministry of Finance (VND105 billion, up by 11.10% of the desired target assigned by the General Department of Customs (VND140 billion), and up by 79.12% (VND 68.70 billion) year-on-year. It is estimated that by December 31, 2021, the department will have collected VND 170 billion.