Identifying enterprises committing fraud on declarations from container scanning at sea

Container scanners at Tan Vu terminal, Hai Phong. Photo: Thai Binh

Managing container scanning

The scanning work across the whole customs under Decision 3272 dated November 24, 2020 and Decision 2218 dated August 26, 2020 of General Department of Customs improved the quality and efficiency.

The Risk Management Department has received applications for screening from units, reviewed inspected and conducted scanning in a timely fashion. Besides, the department has worked with the Customs Information and Statistics Department to publish the list of scanned containers on the website of the General Department of Customs. Currently, the Risk Management Department has completed the draft decision to issue the scanning process of imported and exported goods by container scanners.

The focal points of the Risk Management Department have closely monitored screening in each area of ​​Ho Chi Minh City, Hai Phong and Da Nang and actively worked with the focal points at local Customs Departments to promptly solve problems; managed containers amid the complicated development of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Specifically, the focal points have coordinated with Da Nang Port Border Gate Customs Branch and Da Nang Customs Control Team to scan 16 containers that have not been screened (due to a broken scanner on October 13, 2021) and worked with customs branches, the Customs Control Team to guide screening of goods, creating maximum convenience for businesses.

According to the Risk Management Department, the total number of scanned containers in the whole Customs sector in October rose by 1.92% month-on-month, of which the number of containers screened at scanners in Ho Chi Minh City grew by 13.83%; Lang Son grew by 12.04% and Hanoi grew 10.9%. The number of containers with violations rose by 86.67% month-on-month, of which Hai Phong detected 32 containers with violations, Ho Chi Minh City 24 containers and Binh Duong two containers.

Detecting fraud

According to the Risk Management Department, the number of containers screened at scanners on the sea route has been maintained at about 80% or more of the assigned minimum screening norm; and the screening has targeted consignments showing signs of risk and violations.

Through the selection and screening, Hai Phong and Ho Chi Minh City customs department discovered 56 containers with violations, accounting for 96.55% of the total number of containers in violations in the whole sector; imposed fines of VND640 million and contributed about VND2.6 billion of additional tax to the budget.

Moreover, Customs forces discovered many violations such as importing goods without declaration, declaring the wrong type and quantity and trafficking of banned goods.

From identification of targeted entities, the Risk Management Department provided information to the Anti-Smuggling and Investigation Department about five consumer goods shipments showing suspicious signs through scanning and stored for more than 90 days at Hai Phong port.

As a result of inspection, Customs discovered a large number of undeclared imported goods, conditional imports, and banned goods in four consignments such as cosmetics, food, alcohol, and household appliances, new clothes, used clothes and used electronic goods.

Currently, the Anti-Smuggling and Investigation Department is working with relevant units to continue verifying and handling according to regulations.

Regarding goods with signs of fake origin, the Risk Management Department requested scanning a shipment of export processing materials from China. As a result, My Tho Port Customs Branch (Long An Customs Department) discovered 194,700 eco-friendly bags, new 100%, labeled “Made in Vietnam”.

Also, through analysis, the Risk Management Department asked pre-clearance screening of key shipments transported by sea. Accordingly, the Customs Enforcement Team detected suspicious images; Customs branches inspected and identified many imported goods that were declared in large quantities.

Typically, in Hai Phong, the Risk Management Department discovered a shipment declared as handbags from China. However, as a result of physical inspection, the Customs officers discovered that the enterprise imported goods beyond the amount declared on the import declaration, including 6,120 bags of all kinds; 1,636 women’s eyeglasses; 40 women’s belts; worth VND1.3 billion with payable tax amount of about VND500 million; and fines totaled about VND100 million.

According to a representative of the Risk Management Department, in addition to improving the quality and efficiency of analysis and identification of key subjects according to the goods supply chain, the department will strengthen its role in coordinating, guiding and directing the selection and screening of goods through container scanners across the whole sector.

The department will raise the quality of construction, management of thematic risk control, risk profile and key enterprise profile for effective analysis and identification.