Quang Ninh Customs: Accompany enterprises during the temporary suspension of cargo clearance

Mong Cai Customs officers (Quang Ninh Customs Department) supervise goods importing and exporting through pontoon bridge Km3+4. Photo: Thái Bình

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Since the end of 2021, China has stepped up the implementation of the "Zero Covid" policy, so they have implemented clearance suspension 21 times due to suspicion of contaminated packaging of goods and detection of Covid-19 infection in the community.

On February 24, the Chinese authority detected a case of Covid-19 infection in the community, so they stopped customs clearance at all border gates and roads in Quang Ninh province.

As noted by the Quang Ninh Customs Department, at present, at the road border gate and the opening roads in the area, 1,110 containers/cargo are backlogged, with about 35,595 tons of goods. It includes 101 containers of agricultural products (2,626 tons), 133 containers of fresh fruits (2,662 tons) and 750 containers of frozen seafood (26,657 tons).

Deputy Director of Quang Ninh Customs Department Tran Quang Trung said that, grasping the difficulties of import-export businesses, the unit encouraged warehouse businesses to arrange locations to store and preserve goods, release container tractors, reduce warehouse rental fees, and support export enterprises; arrange and classify goods to be preserved properly, avoid damage to goods, and reduce damage to enterprises.

Along with that, working with relevant state management authorities at the border gate area to direct, regulate and arrange the order of goods to carry out procedures and clearance at the border gate area in a reasonable and scientific manner, avoiding causing insecurity and risk the spread of Covid-19. Not only that, agreeing on handling measures for damaged goods to ensure that they do not affect the environment and comply with current regulations.

“Currently, Quang Ninh Customs Department has sent a diplomatic note to exchange with Nanning Customs (China) about creating conditions for the export of Vietnamese agricultural and aquatic products through border gates and opening roads in the Mong Cai economic zone to China. At the same time, directing the customs branches to arrange forces to handle procedures for import and export goods when clearance activities resume, as well as to be proactive and flexible in processing customs procedures for enterprises," Tran Quang Trung said.

Proposing solutions to promote import and export

Not only launching a series of support activities, but Quang Ninh Customs Department has also actively advised the People's Committee of Quang Ninh province to send documents to the Department of Industry and Trade to the provinces and cities in order to inform widely all organizations, individuals and businesses to promptly grasp information and proactively regulate goods, temporarily suspending the delivery of goods to border gates and the opening road area for export.

Mr. Tran Quang Trung, Director of Quang Ninh Customs Department, has sent a proposal to the Provincial People's Committee to suggest two groups of important solutions while China still applies the temporary suspension of cargo clearance.

That is, requesting the Provincial People's Committee to direct exchanges and talks with the government of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (China) to agree on the criteria and conditions of the "green zone" and other relevant contents for import and export goods, means of transport, and people on exit and entry in order to ensure smooth import and export activities without being interrupted.

Besides that, the Department suggested the Provincial People's Committee report to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development about the contents of promoting trade and cargo clearance between Vietnam and China through road border gates and opening roads.

In addition, understanding the demands and difficulties to issue policies to support Vietnamese enterprises in promoting agricultural and aquatic products, as well as grasping information on import regulations and policies; connecting with import enterprises, distribution system in the Chinese market and having specific mechanisms and policies in order to manage, control and operate border trade activities and border resident exchange activities.