Expand investigation for two smuggling cases

	Exposing the sophisticated smuggling tricks of 2 female passengers
	Tinh Bien Customs seizes a large volume of unknown origin goods

A shipment of smuggled used machinery is seized by the Ho Chi Minh City Customs Department. Photo: T.H

Regarding the further investigation for the smuggling case, HCM City Police Investigation Police Department has announced to seek for individuals and legal entities that buy and sell agricultural and fishery machinery imported by Nam Thinh Phat International Import-Export Trading Co., Ltd. from June 28, 2019 to October 18, 2019 for further investigation.

The Anti-smuggling and Investigation Department detected that Nam Thinh Phat the import of machinery and equipment by International Import-Export Trading Co., Ltd. to HCM City port area showed suspicious signs. Only over four months, the company registered to open 57 customs declarations for imported goods at 1st Zone Saigon Port Border Gate Customs Branch, Area 1 - Ho Chi Minh City Customs Department.

The company declared to import used machinery, equipment, and spare parts worth over 4.6 billion.

During the investigation, the Department discovered that Nam Thinh Phat International Import-Export Trading Co., Ltd. had signs of making false documents (Invoice and Packing list) to import goods to Vietnam.

In addition, the company has used imported goods for improper purposes. Accordingly, 55 of 57 import declarations with the goods valued at VND 3 billion are governed by Decision No. 18/2019/QD-TTg of the Prime Minister in 2019 regulating the import of used machinery, equipment, and technology lines.

Clause 3, Article 4 of Decision No. 18/2019/QD-TTg provides that only the used machinery, equipment, and technological lines that are used for production of enterprises in Vietnam, are allowed to be imported”.

However, the investigation by the Customs showed that the volume of imported goods under 55 declarations does not comply with Clause 3, Article 4 of Decision 18. After the goods were cleared, the company has not used these goods for production, it has resold them for domestic organizations and individuals for profit.

On November 9, 2022, the Department decided to prosecute the company for smuggling and transferred to HCM Police for handling.