Cross-border merchandise smuggling and illegal transportation tended to shrink in the third quarter of 2021, with violation cases being small in value, said the General Department of Vietnam Customs.

Given the complicated development of the COVID-19 pandemic, smuggling of pandemic prevention equipment such as medical gloves and quick test kits tended to rise. Illegal trafficking and transportation of narcotics was still very complicated in Lao Cai and Quang Tri provinces. Some cases were very sophisticated.

The General Department of Vietnam Customs directed anti-smuggling forces across the country to work out locally specific plans to fight smuggling and commercial fraudulence to help maintain national security, sovereignty and social safety:

From June 16 to September 15, 2021, the customs sector unearthed a total of 3,129 violation cases with an estimated value of VND304.36 billion and collected VND48.5 billion to the State Budget. Customs authorities prosecuted 10 cases and transferred 26 cases to competent agencies.