Lai Chau proposed the establishment plan for the Customs Department

The infrastructure of Ma Lu Thang border gate. Photo: Q.H

According to the People’s Committee of Lai Chau Province, Lai Chau Province is a mountainous provice, bordering with Yunnan (China) and is 9,068 square kilometres with 265.095 km border. Currenly, Lai Chau has 1 main border gate Ma Lu Thanh and 1 side border gate U Ma TuKhòong and other 6 open borders including Po To, Lung Than, GiaKhau, Si Chang, Keng Mo, milestone 24 and 25.

After 10 years of establishment, the province has the attention and concentration from the government, thus the infrastructure of the economic zone of Ma Lu Thang needs to be upgraded to meet the demand for export and import and trading of businesses and local people. Implementing the conclusion of Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc at a meeting with leader of Lai Chau People’s Committee allowed re-export and finalizing the procedures for importing goods temporarily through the open border Po To (PhongTho district)

To ensure the implementation of national provisions on customs procedures, inspection and supervision in export, import and temporary re-export; transit of people and vehicles at the border in the province under the provisions of customs legislation is required. Exploiting the maximum potential advantages of the province in the future, the People’s Committee of Lai Chau province suggested to the Prime Minister and Ministry of Finance, that the General Department of Customs review, organize and strengthen the organization for Customs Branch of Ma Lu Thang border gate. There are 2 options: Ministry of Finance and the General Department of Customs researchs, considers to propose to the Prime Minister the decision for establishing the Customs Department of Lai Chau under the General Department of Customs; or the Ministry of Finance and General Administration of Customs consider the decision to transfer Customs Branch at Ma Lu Thang border gate under the Customs Department of Lao Cai.