Lang Son Customs handles smuggling suspects

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The smuggling and illegal transportation of alcohol shipments worth nearly VND1.7 billion across Binh Nghi Border Gate was prosecuted by Lang Son Customs. Photo: Thu Lan

Prosecuting 162 cases

According to the Steering Committee 389 of Lang Son province, smuggling in the province in the first half of the year was controlled because the authorities of the two sides have regularly supervised and prevented illegal entry and exit activities, smuggling and illegal transport of goods across the border, and controlled the Covid-19 epidemic.

However, the illegal transportation of goods and medicine for Covid-19 treatment and quick test across the border gate with small quantity still occur.

When China and Vietnam closely controlled the border to prevent the epidemic, smugglers took advantage of e-customs process and goods classified into Green channel to falsely declare name, quantity, category, and code of goods. Some other smugglers abused the express delivery service, e-commerce and transit goods to illegally transport goods into the inland.

The provincial Steering Committee 389 requested its members and forces to implement plans on prevention of smuggling, commercial fraud and counterfeit goods.

Accordingly, in the first six months of the year, the local competent authorities imposed fines worth over VND21.6 billion for 1,732 violations. The force prosecuted 162 cases and 239 suspects.

Implementing solutions to prevent and handle offences

Deputy Head of Steering Committee 389, Director of Lang Son Market Management Department Dang Van Ngoc said that smuggling and trade fraud in import and export activities has not yet been controlled drastically. Some enterprises abused e-customs clearance to commit fraud such as failing to declare, or falsely declaring the quantity and category of goods, hiding contraband goods in vehicles carrying goods or abusing regulations on labeling of imports for fraud in goods origin.

The inspection and handling of violations by the competent forces for offences for some non-traditional commercial business has not been consistent with the reality, so there is still potential risks of outbreak, especially trade fraud via e-commerce, transportation of contraband and counterfeit goods by post and express delivery services.

“The Steering Committee 389 of Lang Son province requests units to follow the direction of the Government, the National Steering Committee 389 and local government on fight against smuggling, trade fraud, and counterfeit goods in the future” said Ngoc.

The Steering Committee asks agencies to grasp the situation and policy of the Chinese government, to facilitate and support the import and export activities, and focus on creating favorable conditions in the circulation of agricultural products of localities that have large output and concentrated production.

At the meeting to review performance in the first half of the year on July 14, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee and Head of the Steering Committee 389 of Lang Son province Luong Trong Quynh, said that departments and members need to inspect and supervise the anti-smuggling of forces; follow the directions of central and provincial agencies on the fight against smuggling, commercial fraud and fake goods; uphold the role and responsibility of the leader in anti-smuggling; expedite political and ideological education, encourage officers performing the task; and promptly handle cases supporting for smugglers.

The agencies must coordinate with the press and television to disseminate and raise the awareness of production, business organizations and individuals about the compliance with the law and enhance awareness for consumers to choose safe products.

Departments, agencies, units and forces nee to grasp the situation, strengthen patrols, strictly control border gates, border crossings, warehouses and goods storage sites and the management of the issuance and use of invoices and documents, strengthen supervision of the market, effectively implementing the prevention and combat of smuggling, trade fraud and counterfeiting in the area in the last months of the year.