Lang Son: New challenges in combating smuggling and trade fraud

	Customs, Border Guards in Lang Son strengthen coordination
	Lang Son: Evaluating the realities to handle acts of smuggling and trade fraud
	Lang Son builds logistics system to meet smart border gate model

Huu Nghi Customs officers coordinate with Border Guard to patrol in the area of ​​Landmark 1114/2. Photo: H.Nu

New challenges

To facilitate the development of border trade economy, exchange, expand cooperation in tourism, promote the pilot implementation of the smart border gate model..., the authorities of Lang Son province (Vietnam) and Guangxi province (China) have reached agreements on expanding and developing border gates on the both sides.

In May 2024, the authorities of both sides held a ceremony to officially announce the opening of the specialized road (Landmark area 1088/2-1089), Tan Thanh - Po Chai customs clearance (Landmark area 1090-1091), Coc Nam - Lung Nghiu (Landmark area 1104-1105) for people, vehicles, and goods to travel between Vietnam and China.

There will be an increase in trading and exchange activities of border residents and people will be allowed to cross the border with personal travel documents.

However, the above advantages will lead to the risk of illegal carrying and transporting of goods across the border, taking advantage of preferential tax policies for goods exchanged by border residents, etc.

Notably, from the beginning of January 2023, at the border areas of Cao Loc, Trang Dinh, and Loc Binh districts, smuggling and illegal transportation of animal and poultry products across the border has emerged.

The smugglers monitor the movements of the management authorities and frequently change the location of activities upon being detected. Moreover, many smugglers are also bold, proactively attract and gather a large number of people to snatch goods when they are detected and arrested in locations near residential areas.

In particular, according to the border authorities, in the areas opposite Tan Thanh and Chi Ma border gates, China has invested in building large-scale trade, service and warehouse centers with the policy of sales and reducing prices of goods to boost trade, tourism and shopping activities.

Because Chinese goods are diverse in types, beautiful designs and cheap prices, many traders will take advantage of policies and border lines to commit violations such as buying, carrying and illegally transporting goods across the border for profit.

These are the difficulties and challenges for the authorities in the border area of ​​Lang Son province in controlling, managing and ensuring security and order, especially in preventing and combating smuggling and illegal transportation of goods across the border.

Actively exchanging information

Facing the challenges posed to the fight against smuggling and illegal transportation of goods across the border, the Customs Enforcement Team and the border customs branches under the Lang Son Customs Department have actively coordinated with the Border Guard to step up patrolling and management of border areas and border gates.

In particular, the two units have coordinated to deploy peak periods to fight against crimes, especially drug-related crimes, picking up and dropping off, brokering illegal immigrants, smuggling, trade fraud, and illegal transportation of goods across the border

At border gate areas, the two units regularly coordinate closely in the control of immigration for passengers and luggage carried at the immigration procedure area; control and monitor immigration vehicles according to the functions and tasks of each force; strengthen patrols and controls at border gates and areas outside the scope of customs operations to promptly detect, combat and prevent violations of the law.

Lang Son Customs Department said that Lang Son Customs - Border Guard have regularly exchanged diverse, multi-dimensional and multi-form information, especially when there are cases that require consensus, direct meetings to discuss and agree on solutions in accordance with regulations, in accordance with the practical work of border gate management, control of immigration and the work of fighting against crime, smuggling and trade fraud at border gates, market pairs and border openings.

According to Ms. Ha Thi Kim Dung, Head of the Huu Nghi Border Gate Customs Branch, in areas with complicated developments, Huu Nghi Customs always coordinates with the Border Guard force to plan, review, evaluate and organize coordinated patrols, controls, and ensure security and order in border areas and border gates, preventing complicated hot spots of security and order, smuggling in the assigned areas.

According to Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Duc Binh, Head of the Chi Ma Border Gate Border Guard Station, the coordination between the Border Guard and Chi Ma Customs is always conducted in a close and rhythmic manner.

The main content is to share information related to the management and protection of borders and border gates; plots, methods and tricks of criminal activities and law violations; exchange results in the implementation of work as well as difficulties and obstacles of each side in the process of performing tasks, thereby basically resolving issues arising at the border and border gates related to the two units.