The 9th “two countries and four customs administrations” meeting in Quang Ninh

	Quang Ninh Customs improves DDCI
	Customs clearance time at Quang Ninh Customs Department

The signing ceremony of the minutes of the “two countries and four customs administrations” in 2023 between the Customs Departments of Quang Ninh, Lang Son, Cao Bang (Vietnam) and Nanning Customs (China). Photo: H.Nu

At the meeting, Mr. Nguyen Van Nghien, Director of Quang Ninh Customs Department, Head of the Vietnamese delegation said that since the 8th meeting, Customs Department of Lang Son, Cao Bang, Quang Ninh (Vietnam) and Nanning Customs (China) have implemented 24 diplomatic notes to exchange and provide periodical/irregular information on anti-smuggling, results of identification of enterprises, documents of customs declaration and support in providing information for investigation of violation.

In addition, Huu Nghi Border Gate (Lang Son Customs Department) and Huu Nghi Quan Customs held a meeting at Km 0 on January 18 to make plans to resume customs clearance after the Covid-19 pandemic and re-establish the priority channel for customs clearance for goods.

Accordingly, Customs Departments of Quang Ninh, Lang Son and Cao Bang have actively participated in meetings with Vietnam’s local governments and China’s local governments; advised local authorities to promote the expansion and upgrade of infrastructure in the border gate area and propose the application of priority mechanisms and policies for the expansion of trade to boost two-way trade between the two countries.

Therefore, the Covid-19 pandemic prevention and control policies have been adjusted towards more flexibility. Import and export activities across border gates have been stably operated and uninterrupted, creating the trust and stable business environment for enterprises with import-export activities.

The fight against smuggling and drugs on the Vietnam-China Border under the management of Lang Son, Cao Bang and Quang Ninh Customs Department has achieved positive results. The three departments have chaired and handled 794 cases with value of infringing goods of VND56.6 billion, fourfold in the number of cases and 11 times in value compared to the previous period; presided over and coordinated with Border Guard and Police forces to arrest 9 cases with 9 subjects, and seize 1,062.16 grams of synthetic drugs and heroin.

Especially, the smuggling and illegal transportation of goods across border crossings have been effectively controlled without many complicated developments.

Director of Quang Ninh Customs Department Nguyen Van Nhien said that the effective cooperation with China's Customs showed the initiative and active exchange with Nanning Customs (China) of the company. Customs Departments: Lang Son, Cao Bang, Quang Ninh to create an open and favorable environment for import-export activities and improve the effectiveness of prevention of smuggling and illegal transportation of goods and drugs across the border.

Especially, the Customs administrations have actively advised the People's Committees of Lang Son, Cao Bang and Quang Ninh provinces in exchanging and negotiating with the Chinese government agencies to restore and promote import-export activities in border crossings; and proposed the Chinese government agencies to extend the working time, especially on holidays to increase the capacity of customs clearance of import and export goods; create favorable conditions for import and export goods, focusing on agricultural products of Vietnam for export, raw materials, supplies and components imported for domestic production, Director General Nguyen Van Nghien said.

Mr. Vuong Vy Bang, Head of Nanning Customs (China) - Head of Nanning Customs Delegation highly appreciated great efforts of the customs departments of Lang Son, Quang Ninh, Cao Bang in implementing the agreed contents at the 8th meeting. At the same time, exchanging and providing some more information, activities of Nanning Customs, anti-smuggling and import-export policies of China Customs.

At the meeting, the participants in the 9th "two countries four customs administrations" meeting have discussed and achieved key agreements in enhancing cooperation, exchanging information, improving activities to facilitate import-export goods, people and means across border crossings and the fight against smuggling, digital customs and smart customs.

At the end of the meeting, to record the contents that the parties have discussed and agreed, thereby reporting to the competent authorities and implementing in the near future, the parties have implemented the signing ceremony of minutes of the “two countries and four customs administrations” in 2023 between the Customs Departments of Quang Ninh, Lang Son, Cao Bang (Vietnam) and Nanning Customs (China).