Lang Son Customs: Strictly control imported fruit, food during Tet

Tan Thanh Customs Office coordinates to strictly control the imported agricultural products, food etc. Photo by H.Nu.

The supply increased

According to statistics from Lang Son Customs Department, since early this year, there have been nearly 500,000 tons of fresh fruit imported from China to Vietnam through the Lang Son border gate. Separately in the third quarter of 2017, Lang Son Customs has completed import procedures for agricultural products such as vegetables, fruits etc., with an estimated value of over 30 million USD; Exporting nearly 500 tons of agricultural products, confectionery, milk, seafood, worth an estimated 600 million USD to the Chinese market.

At the same time, Lang Son Customs collaborated with the forces of capture and handling of food safety violations, including 6,500 chickens, 150 pigeons (near 60 million VND); Detect and capture 100 kg of frozen eel, 650 kg of unknown origin pig brisket. The number of smuggled goods of unclear origin, failing to ensure the food hygiene and safety has been confiscated, handled and handed over to the quarantine agency for destruction according to regulations. Most recently, on October 20th, the Chi Ma Border Customs Sub-Department detected and arrested 270 kg of hard candy of unknown origin, without the license of the specialized agency, cannot identify the owner.

According to Mr. Doan Tuan Anh, Deputy Director of Tan Thanh Customs Department, the demand for fruits and food of consumers in the Lunar New Year is increasing, some enterprises will import food on sale on this occasion. This is a commodity with a tax rate of 0%, customs clearance procedures are often fast, but in fact, the unit has a number of shipments are forced to re-export because the quality does not meet the requirements. For example, in the third quarter of 2017, two consignments of fresh fruits were forced to be re-exported because they did not meet the conditions of import through Tan Thanh border gate.

Also according to Mr. Doan Tuan Anh, in the current unit, there are 150 to 200 tons of fruit per day, mostly apples, pears, oranges, etc.

According to the Lang Son Customs Department, in the months of the Lunar New Year, the demand for consumer goods is expected to be the highest in fruits, foodstuffs, confectionery, home appliances.

Strengthen control, quarantine

In order to ensure the fruits entering the domestic market without preservatives and toxic residues, the Lang Son Customs Department has coordinated with the quarantine force to increase the quantity of physical inspection of this commodity. At the same time, strict control of shipments of fruits especially will inspect 100% of shipments of candy, fresh food etc., when crossing the border to ensure not to let low quality food to the inland.

In particular, for fresh fruit lots imported, the unit will control the origin, the specific address of the plantation, export business enterprises to the Vietnamese authorities to handle, trace origin, quality in case of need. In addition, in order to be cleared into Vietnam, importers must comply with quarantine procedures, ensure safety, no pathogens, pests as well as toxic chemicals. If the shipment is found to be unsafe, the Customs will retain and re-export it.

For imported goods subject to food quality, hygiene and safety control, all border-gate customs sub-departments shall have to register for inspection and be granted certificates of hygiene eligibility by specialized examination agencies. food safety before customs clearance. Besides, in order to enhance the inspection and supervision of imported goods, Lang Son Customs has focused on inspection of import conditions, the origin of goods, results of quality inspection goods.

According to Mr. Le Duc Tho, Deputy Director of Lang Son Customs Department, the unit has also directed the anti-smuggling forces and border gate units to collect risk management information to enhance the collection of information on goods. To take initiative in coordinating with the functional forces in the localities to detect, arrest and strictly handle cases related to poor quality food items. To promptly detect, prevent and handle goods lots subject to quarantine, medical or aviation inspection of the quality of food hygiene and safety or goods of unclear origin.

Mr. Le Duc Tho said that at this time, at the border gates, with commodities such as agricultural products or foodstuffs, the customs will check 100% instead of probability. Border customs units will also note carefully the origin of goods, import permits, certificates of quality inspection of goods, labels etc., issued by specialized management agencies for import lots. With unlicensed shipments, resolutely stop customs clearance, ban from importing.

Representatives of the Plant Quarantine Sub-Department of Region VII, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in Lang Son said that any imported fruit lot after inspection detected any residues of plant protection drugs or toxic preservatives. They will not issue quarantine certificates and at the same time notify the border-gate customs forces thereof in order to force the re-export of such goods lots. In addition, the unit will also collaborate with the Bureau of Testing and Certification, Pingxiang, Guangxi (China) to trace the batch of chemical residues. In particular, quarantine officers will use rapid test equipment to check the chemical qualities of imported fruit, which can give results quickly from 1 to 2 hours. This has created favorable conditions for businesses, as well as help agencies quickly find out that fruit is not standard.

At this time, when the number of fresh fruits imported increases to serve domestic consumption demand, Department of Plant Quarantine Region VII increased the frequency of inspection for fruits imported from 10 to 20%, even 30% if there are suspected pesticide residues.

However, according to the representatives of the Plant Quarantine Sub-Department VII, the quarantine of fruit imported at the border gate only applies to imported goods through the main line, while the trade and exchange between Border residents for fruits are very difficult to control. In fact, goods transported through small quarters are usually without clear contracts, in particular, loose provisions should lack the binding obligation.