Unit 1 (Anti-Smuggling Investigation Department, General Department of Customs): Effective in establishing and fighting specialized cases

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Containers of prohibited goods imported from Korea to Hai Phong port discovered and seized by Unit 1 in coordination with other authorities in 2023.

Complete the prosecution target

The leader of Unit 1 said that to perform well the assigned tasks, the unit regularly exploits information and documents from the database of the customs information system and uses customs control measures to investigate, research and understand the situation, identify the level and potential of risk and forecast the developments.

The unit's investigation work is carried out regularly, continuously, objectively and scientifically in accordance with the law and customs law, focusing on entities with signs of suspected smuggling and illegal transportation of goods across the border.

In addition, the unit regularly exchanges information and strengthens coordination with other authorities in the area to promptly prevent and strictly handle violations.

In 2023, Unit 1 achieved many positive results. Typically: on December 22, 2022, Unit 1 established a special project on combating the illegal trade and transportation of endangered and rare wild animals across the border on air route at Noi Bai international airport area. As a result, the unit presided over and coordinated with competent authorities to detect and seize 10 cases of smuggling and illegal transportation of wild animals on the CITES list including animal bones and meat (tigers, lion), rhino horn and products made from ivory...

Expanding investigation and verification of the special project on combating acts of abusing the customs code of exporting toll manufactured products to foreign traders (E52) and other customs code (E21) by air for smuggling, illegal cross-border transportation of goods, the unit discovered violations by a textile enterprise. The verification results revealed that the actual exported goods were not processed products (all kinds of clothes) but other goods such as test kits, computer components, phone components, all kinds of food, and household appliances, shoes, and clothes purchased by individuals and sent to individuals abroad... On March 29, 2023, the unit advised the Anti-Smuggling and Investigation Department to issue a decision to prosecute a criminal case on smuggling related to the above company's violations.

On July 26, 2023, Unit 1 coordinated with Huu Nghi Border Gate Customs Branch (Lang Son Customs Department) to make an inspection, investigation and verification plan for a number of people and businesses showing signs of violation. As a result, the authorities discovered six vehicles carrying goods from China to Vietnam with suspicious signs, the goods were declared as processed, manufactured goods for export and the declaration were opened at customs branches outside the border gate. Through physical inspection, the goods were mainly consumer goods, clothes, express delivery goods... worth more than VND2 billion, the evaded tax amount was over VND500 million. The above case was prosecuted for illegally transporting goods across the border and transferred to Lang Son Police.

Another typical case was established by unit 1 to clarify the issue of taking advantage of import activities to smuggle and illegally transport goods from abroad to Hai Phong port. Unit 1 presided over and coordinated with Hai Phong City Police, Customs Enforcement Unit and Hai Phong Port Border Gate Area 2 Customs Branch (Hai Phong Customs Department) to detect an enterprise illegally importing 1 computer container. used from Korea to Hai An port, Hai Phong. This is a commodity on the list of prohibited imports. Team 1 advised the Anti-Smuggling Investigation Department to issue a decision to prosecute a criminal case for smuggling related to the above incident.

With the efforts of the entire unit, in 2023, unit 1 completed the target of prosecuting four violations assigned by the leader of the Anti-Smuggling and Investigation Department.

Effectively deploy anti-smuggling

In 2024, it is forecast that the situation of smuggling, illegal cross-border transportation of goods, trade fraud, and tax evasion in the Northern region will continue to have many complex developments and become more organized with increasingly sophisticated and cunning tricks. Notably, taking advantage of channelization according to risk management procedures to smuggle, trade fraud and illegally transport goods across borders; taking advantage of the temporary import and re-export policy to import a number of prohibited and conditional goods; processed goods, exported products, and goods with high tax rates for smuggling.

To promptly detect, seize, and handle violations, the unit 1 determines to continue to effectively deploy the anti-smuggling. In particular, we focus on strengthening understanding of the situation, focusing on detecting and fighting against those who are large traders specializing in purchasing and collecting goods, organizing the transportation of smuggled goods, and businesses that have violated the law on taxes, customs and specializes in trading sensitive goods with high tax rates;

Regularly arrange officials and coordinate with Customs Branches in key areas such as Hai Phong, Hanoi, Quang Ninh, Lang Son, Lao Cai to closely follow the areas, screen entities and take measures to promptly prevent cases of smuggling, trade fraud and illegal transportation of goods across borders to prevent the formation of smuggling rings and gangs.

In fighting against specialized projects, it is necessary to fully and accurately determine relevant information about people, goods, vehicles, schedules, time... to comprehensively use measures, arrange forces and means to serve the anti-smuggling; collect evidence, consolidate and complete records; detect new problems; strictly investigate and prosecute violations.

In particular, in the current period, the unit is strengthening the implementation of plans for peak anti-smuggling periods before, during and after the Lunar New Year of Giap Thin in 2024.