7 6 tons of ivory and ivory products seized at Hai Phong Port

The scene of the largest ivory seizure at Hai Phong port on March 20, 2023. Photo: T.Binh.

According to the Vinacontrol Hai Phong, the infringing goods seized by Hai Phong Customs Department include about 7.5 tons of ivory and more than 110 kg of ivory products.

Earlier, on March 20 at Nam Dinh Vu Port, Hai Phong Customs Department coordinated with Hai Phong Police to inspect a 20 feet-container of ivory smuggled from Africa.

The consignment was transported from Angola and transshipped in Singapore to conceal the shipping route. Unfortunately, the goods’ name was in an uncommon language, and the consignee information was inaccurate. This is a new and sophisticated trick to outsmart the control the Customs.

Hai Phong Customs Department has directed units to control and inspect goods via container scanners and physical inspection after detecting suspicious signs.

The inspection results showed that container No. UACU3786863 contains more than 7.6 tons of ivory and ivory products. This is the largest ivory seizure at Hai Phong Port.

African ivory was listed in Appendix I of CITES and subject to the goods being banned from import and violating provisions of Decree No.69/2018/ND-CP date of May 15 by the Government.

The seizure shows the efficiency in information collection and identification of targeting shipments by the Hai Phong Customs Department to prevent violations and illegal transportation of goods listed in CITES to Vietnam from gaining illicit profits.

Currently, Hai Phong Customs Department transferred the case to the local Police for investigation.