Customs officers of the Export Cargo Customs Procedures Team (Saigon Port area 1 Customs Branch) guide businesses to carry out procedures. Photo: T.H

According to our reporter, Cat Lai Port is currently experiencing a significant increase in export activities. To keep up with the growing volume of customs declarations, customs officials are working overtime to complete procedures.

Mr. Duong Quoc Hung, Head of Export Cargo Customs Procedures Team at Sai Gon Port area 1 Customs Branch, reported a substantial rise in export cargo through Cat Lai Port in recent months.

"Export Cargo Customs Procedures Team is currently processing over 1,000 export declarations daily, an increase of more than 100 declarations compared to previous months," said Mr. Hung.

Statistics from the Sai Gon Port area 1 Customs Branch, show that from the beginning of 2024 to October 23, 2024, the Export Cargo Customs Procedures Team has facilitated the clearance of nearly 250,000 export declarations, with a total value exceeding US$18 billion, representing an increase of nearly 13% compared to the same period in 2023.

A significant portion of export goods is exempted from physical inspections. Specifically, over 163,000 declarations were processed through the Green Channel, accounting for more than 66%; nearly 74,000 declarations were processed through the Yellow Channel, accounting for over 30%, while the number of declarations processed through the Red Channel (subject to physical inspection) accounted for only over 3%, with more than 8,500 declarations.

Export commodities through Cat Lai Port primarily include agricultural products, seafood, wood products, and textiles.

Alongside the surge in exports, the number of import declarations processed at Cat Lai Port has also increased significantly in recent months. According to the head of the Import Cargo Customs Procedures Team at Sai Gon Port area 1 Customs Branch, the unit processes nearly 2,000 import and export declarations daily.

As of October 17, 2024, the Import Cargo Customs Procedures has facilitated the clearance of imported goods valued at over US$ 18 billion, an increase of nearly 3% compared to the same period last year. Although the growth in imports is not as significant as that of exports, this increase has contributed to higher state revenue.

As of October 23, 2024, Sai Gon Port area 1 Customs Branch, has collected over VND 39.2 trillion in state revenue, an increase of more than 16% compared to the same period in 2023, reaching 86.55% of the ordinance target.

The Manager of Sai Gon Port area 1 Customs Branch, stated that in the remaining months of 2024, the volume of imports and exports, especially exports, is expected to increase. The department is focusing on implementing solutions to ensure efficient customs clearance, attract revenue, and fulfill the ordinance target of VND 45.3 trillion.

Specifically, the branch will proactively monitor and assess the import and export turnover, particularly the turnover of taxable goods, and their impact on state revenue collection.

The branch will also strengthen measures to prevent revenue loss through post-clearance audits, the fight against smuggling and trade fraud, and focus on inspecting the types, subjects, and conditions for enjoying preferential tariff; prevent fraud of type, values, HS code, tax rates, C/O,…

Over the past nine months, the branch has increased state revenue by over VND 50 billion through price consultations and post-clearance audits.