The 8th seminar on two countries and four agencies

The seminar. Photo: T.H

At the seminar, Director of Lang Son Customs Department Nguyen Hong Linh said that despite many limitations amid the pandemic in 2022, the agencies of the two countries have actively exchanged information related to smuggling and facilitated the import and export of goods and related matters.

Regarding the anti-smuggling work, the three customs departments of Lang Son, Cao Bang, Quang Ninh have handled 189 cases of enterprises abusing customs policies for smuggling such as the false declaration of name, quantity, category, code, origin of goods worth over VND5,110 billion. The customs agencies handled nine cases and arrested 20 suspects illegally transporting drugs across the border gate.

Especially, four customs administrations of the two countries have regularly exchanged information to facilitate customs clearance of imports and exports. Motivated by great efforts, the total trade in goods across the border gates of Lang Son, Quang Ninh, Cao Bang provinces with Chinese border gates increased.

The leaders of customs departments said that after the 7th seminar, the cooperation between the two sides has achieved positive results. Customs clearance across border gate pairs has been promoted, thereby increasing customs clearance capacity compared to 2021.

However, the departments also acknowledged that there are still some limitations in coordination between the two sides due to the implementation of disease control measures at the border gates, leading to many difficulties for import-export activities.

Leaders of Customs Departments of Lang Son, Quang Ninh, Cao Bang (Vietnam) signed a cooperation agreement with Nanning Customs (China). Photo: To Ha

Nanning Customs highly appreciated the great efforts of customs authorities of Lang Son, Quang Ninh in implementing contents signed in the 7th seminar, and provided more information and operation of the customs in anti-smuggling work and compliance with import and export policies of Chinese Customs.

The departments mentioned the advantages and disadvantages of coordination, and proposed some contents to further promote cooperation between the two countries in an effective manner.

The leaders of the departments have proposed practical solutions to promote cooperation and mutual assistance in the near future between customs departments bordering the Vietnam-China border, such as exchanging information related to import and export policies; providing information related to smugglers, and smuggling rings across border gate; enhancing the efficiency of goods import and export activities between the two countries.

Closing the seminar, the two countries agreed on some cooperation contents and programs to perform tasks in the near future.