Promote information collection to serve the pre-scanning process

Professional activities at fixed container scanning center (Hai Phong Customs Department). Photo: T.Bình

That was the suggestion of Director of Hai Phong Customs Department, Nguyen Tien Loc, at the preliminary seminar of the first quarter 2019 of the General Department of Vietnam Customs.

According to Mr. Nguyen Tien Loc, the Customs Department is equipped with container scanning systems. Hai Phong Customs is equipped with 3 mobile scanners and 1 fixed scanner funded by the Japanese Government. So, how to improve the efficiency of container screening machines?

In the first quarter of 2019, the number of containers scanned by Hai Phong Customs Department increased by 17% compared to the same period in 2018, the rate of violation detection also increased by 17%.

The quality of information based on the analysis of risk assessment in the Container warning system of the Customs sector must provide warnings on how to effectively handle violations during the scanning process.

According to Mr. Loc, the increased scanning would help to improve the rate of detecting violations. However, it would also unconsciously cause difficulties for the business community.

Therefore, Hai Phong Customs propose to promote information collection and information analysis before the arrival of shipments, based on E-Manifest information to serve the pre-scanning process.

The unit has collaborated with the Anti-Smuggling and Investigation Department (General Department of Vietnam Customs) to successfully close many large cases from information collected through scanning.

Thanks to pre-scanning, the unit has detected the transport of 2.2 tons of pangolin scales. This was a result in the program and plan of risk management of Hai Phong Customs.