Strengthening control for frozen food products deposited in bonded warehouses

	Enterprises expect Customs will be a focal point of specialized inspection
	HCM City Customs answers questions of enterprises
	Extending deadline for storage of goods in bonded warehouses and duty-free goods

Bonded warehouses at North Thang Long Industrial Park (Hanoi). Photo: N.Linh

Accordingly, the GDVC has requested the departments to coordinate with specialized agencies to inspect the status, expiry date and quality of goods, and assess food hygiene and safety.

The GDVC has asked the customs departments to focus on checking goods deposited in bonded warehouses beyond the storage deadline.

Specifically, frozen food deposited in bonded warehouses that are beyond the storage deadline and are not extended the time limit under Resolution 10/2021/NQ-UBTVQH15 (goods deposited in bonded warehouses before April 1, 2018), must be verified on the quality of the goods.

During the inspection, if the goods show signs of damage, beyond the expiry date, and do not meet standards on quality, food hygiene and safety, Customs will identify the responsibility of the owner of the goods/bonded warehouse owner, and coordinate the local environmental agency to destroy the goods, and request the owner of the goods/bonded warehouse owner to pay all costs for the destruction.

If the goods are certified that they have not been damaged and are still valid for use, the Customs will fine and enforce to re-export of the goods. If the goods are not re-exported, they will be handled in accordance with regulations on backlogged goods in the customs area.

The GDVC has also requested the departments to verify the quality for frozen food deposited in the bonded warehouse under Resolution 10/2021/NQ-UBTVQH15

If the goods show signs of damage, are beyond the expiry date, and do not meet standards on quality, food hygiene and safety, the customs will handle the goods in accordance with the regulations.

If the goods are certified that they have not been damaged and are still valid for use, the Customs will closely control the goods.

The country’s top customs regulator required that before implementing the destruction of frozen food capable of causing environmental pollution, the leading unit must report to the local environmental management agency on the destruction plan and method, and supervise the performance.

The warehouse-managing Customs department must assign a representative to monitor the implementation, and report detailed information on the plan, time and location of the destruction to the GDVC before performing the destruction to assess risks and direct other units for coordination (if necessary).

The destruction must be reported and confirmed by supervising units.