Amid the complicated developments of the Covid-19 pandemic, many truckers have used empty containers and even garbage trucks to transport contraband goods.

A Tan Thanh Customs officer inspects goods on a garbage truck.
Photo: Nam Duy

New smuggling methods

Lang Son province officials said, so far this year, some drivers of import and export enterprises have been transporting contraband goods and goods of unknown origin in large volume.

Customs, Market Surveillance and Police authorities have taken preventive measures.

Accordingly, the Market Surveillance of Lang Son province worked with the province’s 389 unit to stop a tractor trailer carrying containers imported by Ocean China Import and Export Joint Stock Company headquartered at Thanh Xuan district, Hanoi, for inspection on August 2, at Km 4 + 800 National Road 1A in Phu Xa commune, Cao Loc district.

Through the inspection, the officials discovered 22 types of goods which are not produced in Vietnam. Of which there were 150 kids bikes without import documents.

Not only empty containers, many have used garbage trucks to carry illegal goods and non-customs goods through border gates.

During patrols at the B2 gate area in Tan Thanh commune, Van Lang district, Lang Son province, the control team under Tan Thanh Customs Branch identifies a garbage truck moving from Tan Thanh market.

The customs officers inspected the truck and discovered many suspicious boxes. The above boxes contained materials for making face shields worth over VND20 million. They were all new and did not have certificates of origin.

At the scene, trucker Ha Van T did not present documents proving the origin of goods. He said he was paid by a man named Cuong to carry the above goods to Tan Thanh pagoda.

After investigation, Tan Thanh Customs determined that the goods on the garbage truck belonged to Ngo Van Cuong, residing in Tan Thanh commune, Van Lang district, who hired the trucker.

Tan Thanh Customs made a record of administrative violations against Ngo Van Cuong and submitted it to the competent authorities for sanctioning.

Strengthening control

Lang Son provincial Steering Committee 389 said authorities in the provinces have been focusing on preventing illegal transportation of contraband goods on the borders, so smugglers have abused this to perform act of violations.

Moreover, to facilitate the clearance of goods amid the pandemic, the Customs agency simplified many inspection procedures, many traders take advantage of this loophole to take contraband goods inland.

From early July 2021, authorities in Lang Son province prevented 12 violation cases with total infringing goods worth over VND1 billion. Many infringing goods made in foreign countries had high value such as auto parts and electronic components.

The representative of the province’s Steering Committee 389 said, these are new smuggling methods.

Therefore, the committee has requested anti-smuggling forces in the area to strengthen inspection and control of import and export activities of enterprises.

Deputy Director of Lang Son Customs Department said that facing the situation, the unit has guided the border-gate customs branches and the customs enforcement units to enhance customs control and application of risk management to detect violations. Physical inspection of the shipment for enterprises with strong suspicious signs.

In addition, the department has requested the anti-smuggling forces to expand control and focus on goods imported, exported or transited through border gates, especially maximizing container scanners to control containers of imported goods.

Also, the border gate customs branches have been working with the provincial customs departments to share information of enterprises, especially those that have committed customs violations to list them in control in order to conduct effective inspections and avoid affecting customs clearance of other enterprises.

Moreover, the Market Surveillance and Police authorities of Lang Son province have been taking measures to inspect and control the means of transport of imported goods in the country and collaborated with authorities at Doc Quyt Complex Control Station and Tung Dien Traffic Control Station to strictly prevent and handle violations.