Solution needed for congestion at Huu Nghi International Border Gate

	Lang Son continue changing tractor of four vehicles/turn through Huu Nghi – Youyi Guan International Border Gate
	Lang Son launches digital border gate platform at Huu Nghi border gate
	Lang Son strengthens pandemic control at Huu Nghi border gate

Specialized forces change the tractors of four vehicles across Huu Nghi- Huu Nghi Quan International Border Gate pair. Photo: Kim Oanh

According to Huu Nghi Border Gate Customs Branch, the Covid-19 pandemic has directly affected import and export activities across the border in Northern provinces, including Lang Son Border Gate area.

The sharp increase in the flow of people and vehicles at Huu Nghi International Border Gate area has caused a backlog. For example, it has created difficulties in the arrangement of goods and vehicles waiting for export, increased pressure in terms of Covid-19 prevention and control and ensuring security and order, and environmental sanitation in the area while the capacity of customs clearance of goods has not yet met the demand.

Meanwhile, at this time, the Chinese agencies strengthened pandemic prevention and control, and applied measures for inspection and supervision of vehicles carrying goods exported from Vietnam to China, causing limitations and reductions in the number of vehicles transporting goods to China.

From the end of November 2021, the Chinese side has implemented strict requirements for pandemic prevention. For example, when transporting goods to Vietnam, Chinese drivers are not allowed to leave the cabin and must wear protective clothing and not stay in Vietnam.

Vietnamese drivers transporting goods to China are only allowed to drive the vehicles across the border between the two countries and exit their vehicles for the Chinese drivers to transport goods into the area for inspection and delivery.

In addition, there is a lack of Chinese drivers, so the number of drivers transporting goods to China and vice versa has not met the actual requirements for goods delivery between the two countries.

The Chinese side has strengthened inspection and quarantine of 100% of Vietnam's exported fruits and agricultural products, so the daily clearance capacity has not met the number of trucks carrying goods exported to the border gate area, causing congestion.

The local customs branch has worked with competent agencies at the border gate to take measures to remove obstacles. For example, the branch regularly grasps and provides information to importers and exporters in the area and regulates the flow of vehicles transporting goods to the border gate. The branch has coordinated with local agencies to discuss with the Chinese side to agree on measures to solve the backlog of goods.

However, the local customs branch found that only 13% of total congested goods vehicles are agricultural products and the remaining goods mainly are exported goods transferred to border gates and goods in transit.

Meanwhile, vehicles carrying exported goods must stop outside the border gate in the order regardless of goods, export regime or export enterprises, causing some shortcomings.

Businesses that both import electronic components, garments, and footwear from China to Vietnam and export from Vietnam to the country have not been given priority in customs clearance, leading to the congestion of export and import vehicles.

The Chinese side has strengthened inspection and quarantine for Vietnamese fruits and agricultural products, causing the slow export of this item. Huu Nghi Customs said that while other items are inspected less by the Chinese side, the customs clearance time must be faster but they have to wait until fruits and agricultural products undergo customs procedures.

Therefore, Chinese vehicles carrying goods into Vietnam and shipping goods to China will increase customs clearance capacity and reduce congestion and costs for businesses. The consideration of giving priority to these vehicles is practical and reasonable, the customs branch said.

Accordingly, to remove the backlog and difficulties for enterprises, Huu Nghi Customs proposed some policies for exports such as giving priority to exporters of electronic components, machinery, garment, footwear, that have goods for both import and export; and have Chinese vehicles at yards to transport Vietnamese exports to China.

To execute this plan, the local customs branch instructs enterprises to report contents such as the name of the enterprise, declaration number, license plate number, and trailer number, container number of the Chinese and Vietnamese vehicles for the competent agencies to clear quickly.

To implement this plan, it is necessary to assign specific tasks and responsibilities to each relevant competent agency in identifying the priority goods. Specifically, the Customs certifies declaration number, priority items of the enterprises; Border Guards and Xuan Cuong Huu Nghi Joint Stock Company control Vietnamese and Chinese vehicles as reported by the enterprises; Traffic Police allow priority cargo trucks to enter the border gate as certified by the Customs, Border Guard force, Huu Nghi Xuan Cuong Joint Stock Company.