Operations at Dong Dang International Railway Station Customs Branch. Photo: Thanh Hai

Achievements

According to the People’s Committee of Lang Son province, the trade in goods at the Dong Dang International Railway Station Customs Branch increased year on year and saw stable operation.

However, the achievements are not consistent with the potential of import and export activities via railway.

The infrastructure of Dong Dang Station has not met the requirements of import, export, exit and entry of goods by rail. The land route connecting the national highway to the station has not satisfied the standards for the transportation of goods in and out of the station.

The goods transportation from Dong Dang Station to Gia Lam Station (Hanoi) and other provinces faces difficulties due to different railway gauges, causing the transshipment of goods and increasing costs of loading and unloading, warehousing, etc. These affect the operating capacity of the station and the import and export of goods across Dong Dang Station.

The implementation of “Zero Covid” policy by the Chinese Government has caused congestion at border gates in Lang Son province. Many businesses have carried out customs procedures across Dong Dang Station.

According to Manager of the Dong Dang Railway Station Customs Branch, Cao Hoai Phuong, over the two years, the branch has processed customs clearance for thousands of tons of import and export goods per day such as iron ore, fine art furniture, aluminum ingots, steels, household goods and frozen goods... In addition, goods directly carried out procedures at the branch are transit goods, border-gate transfer goods and re-exports.

According to Dong Dang Railway Station Customs Branch, the import and export turnover across Dong Dang Station Border Gate in 2021 rose 65.5% year-on-year to US$162.4 million.

In the first six month of 2022, the import and export across the area surged compared with the previous year. The branch processed 1,691 declaration forms with value of US$ over 127 million; supervised 699 trains with 10,651 freight cars, of which 7,049 cars at Yen Vien station and 3,521 cars at Dong Dang Station.

With a large volume of goods, the import and export turnover across the area increased by 145.5%. As of May 22, the branch collected VND215 billion, meeting 104.8% of the target in 2022.

In the first five months of the year, the local branch processed procedures for 295 enterprises, increasing by 251.1% year-on-year.

“In order to achieve the positive results, from the beginning of the year, the branch assessed the difficulties and advantages, provide appropriate solutions to increase budget revenue to accomplish the tasks; strengthened measures to prevent revenue loss; reviewed revenue sources to take appropriate management measures; coordinated with other competent agencies in the area to facilitate businesses and import and export activities to raise the state revenue” the manager said.

Creating maximum favorable condition

In order to reduce customs clearance pressure at land border gates and reduce costs for businesses and traders exporting goods across the Dong Dang (Vietnam) - Pingxiang (China) railway route, the branch’s manager said that in addition to focusing on providing solutions to support businesses in customs processes, the branch has grasped difficulties of importers and exporters to instruct them in effective manner.

The local Customs branch also expedited application of information technology and e- document management software such as e-customs clearance, e-tax payment 24/7; processed customs procedures via National Single Window and ASEAN Single Window. This helps shorten customs clearance time, facilitate businesses in customs processes and reduce costs.

The branch has arranged officers to perform on Saturdays and Sundays, and holidays to quickly implement customs clearance and release of goods.

The branch will coordinate with local government to update China's developments and policies to notify to businesses and avoid disadvantages in the customs processes.