Lang Son: Import-export turnover grow 71%

Statistics from Lang Son Customs Department showed that, as of March 22, border-gate customs units have received and processed procedures for 27,055 sets of declarations with a turnover of US$727,931 million, an increase of 71% compared to the same period in 2022. In particular, enterprises have registered 12,167 sets of export declarations valued at US$342,619 million, growing 364.3% over the same period in 2022. Regarding import, enterprises registered 14,888 sets of declarations valued at US$385,312 million, increasing 9.5% over the same period in 2022.

From the above data, it can be seen that since the Chinese side reopened import-export activities, enterprises have promoted business, production, and import-export activities. As a result, thanks to the strong recovery of enterprises, the export turnover of goods through Lang Son province in the first quarter increased by 364.3% compared to when China still applied the "Zero Covid" policy.

According to the assessment of the representative of Lang Son Customs Department, the export turnover of goods through Lang Son province in the first quarter of the year increased over the same period last year because the main export items are agricultural products and fresh fruits such as durian, jackfruit, dragon fruit, chilli, and passion fruit serving the Lunar New Year of China. At the same time, from January 8 until now, when China reduced the Covid-19 prevention and control level from group A to group B. It means that China had loosened the pandemic control measures in entry and exit of country activities and clearance of import and export goods at the border. This has helped the number of means of transport of import and export goods being cleared, reaching about 1,000 vehicles/day.

Agricultural products are exported through Tan Thanh border gate. Photo: H.Nụ

Tan Thanh border gate is a road border gate with main activities of exporting agricultural products, fresh fruits such as watermelon, dragon fruit, lychee, banana, mango, and jackfruit of Vietnam through Tan Thanh border gate to China accounted for 90% of the total import-export turnover. Therefore, every year during the season, the amount of goods arriving at the Tan Thanh border gate is relatively large, causing local congestion of trucks transporting export goods.

Notably, with favourable characteristics and being close to the farmer's market of China, for a long time, Tan Thanh border gate has been chosen by many businesses and traders to carry out export procedures for agricultural products and fresh fruits. A representative of the Tan Thanh Customs Branch said that, from the beginning of the year until now, there had been over 100 enterprises registered to carry out import and export procedures, mainly exporting agricultural products and fresh fruits through the Tan Thanh border gate.

To create maximum conditions for agricultural products and fresh fruits to be exported smoothly, Lang Son Customs always identifies that the business community is a reliable partner and accompany to develop. In addition, Lang Son Customs also actively and synchronously implemented solutions to meet the goal of increasing the clearance capacity of export goods at border gates, especially Tan Thanh, Huu Nghi and Coc Nam border gates; promote administrative reform, regularly coordinate with other forces: border management centre, border defence force, enterprise operating yard to facilitate import and export activities through the border gate complied with regulations; promptly guide and answer problems and difficulties for enterprises in the process of carrying out customs procedures.

At the same time, Lang Son Customs regularly communicates with the Chinese side to grasp the information and situations related to goods management and pandemic prevention to promptly warn Vietnamese enterprises to take the initiative in import and export activities. As a result, it helps to minimize cost and time loss when carrying out clearance activities at the border gate, especially for agricultural export products.

At the meeting with relevant departments, agencies and competent forces on March 6, 2023, to assess the situation of import and export of goods, and revenue from import and export activities in the first months of the year. Mrs Doan Thu Ha, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Lang Son province requested departments, agencies, and competent forces in the province to strengthen coordination further and continue to implement synchronous solutions to facilitate import-export enterprises through the area, thereby improving the efficiency of cargo clearance.

The People's Committee of Lang Son province assigned the Dong Dang - Lang Son border gate economic zone authority to the chair and coordinate with relevant departments, sectors and competent forces in strengthening measures to communicate and support enterprises and traders to carry out procedures related to cargo clearance; organize talks with relevant Chinese agencies on quickly restoring activities of entry and exit country and import-export at sub-border gates, opening path, and increasing working time at some border gates.

Notably, the Lang Son Department of Industry and Trade should urgently issue documents on the import-export situation through the province, which recommends localities, businesses and industries about changing policies on the Chinese side to update and implement it.