Customs has discovered many violations by enterprises through information analysis and risk assessment.

Container screening at Hai Phong Customs. Photo: Thai Binh

Detecting violations

The Risk Management Department has reviewed data, analysed information and focused on risk assessment in some high-risk regimes, areas and items.

The department has also synchronously applied risk control measures for suspect shipments transported by sea.

Customs has detected dozens of firms and items committing violations. Typically, violations in import and export of general and consumer goods; import banned goods and trade frauds. Some firms have used tricks to adjust consignees’ information to legalize transit goods.

The department has provided information on eight shipments of consumer goods to the Anti-Smuggling and Investigation Department for handling. As a result, Customs discovered a huge volume of under-declared and conditional goods such as cooker hoods, induction cookers, electric irons, pots and pans, functional foods, and more.

Also from information sources, the Anti-Smuggling and Investigation Department and Da Nang Customs department expanded investigation and inspected suspicious shipments at Da Nang Port.

The Anti-smuggling and Investigation Department and Cai Mep Seaport Customs Branch received information from the department on three 90-day overdue shipments imported from Canada and detected many banned goods in consignments.

Also at Cai Mep Port, the Risk Management Department online supervised a shipment containing used engines. Notably, the consignee’s address in Vietnam was adjusted to in Cambodia and then revised in Laos to legalise transit goods.

The department detected four consignments that lacked goods labels and had falsely declared origin and fake trademarks.

For example, K.T Ceramics Co., Ltd declared goods as ceramic vases but import goods had no original label with total value of infringing goods of VND652 million. Customs fined the firm VND55 million.

In addition, HCM City Customs Department seized 37 containers with violations through pre-screening for shipments in transit. Of those, 337 items were falsely declared in quantity; 192 items were failed to declare such as clothes, bags, electronic products, home appliances, audio equipment, and milk powder.

Promoting leading role

The Risk Management Department has strengthened risk identification and goods selection for inspection via container screening; effectively taken risk control measures to prevent and detect risks, and facilitate legitimate firms.

It has enhanced goods screening in loading and unloading at seaports of HCM City, Hai Phong and Da Nang; closely supervised screening and conducted physical inspections for suspicious containers; strived to complete and exceed the target on container screening.

The department has worked with other units in performance; proposed solutions to enhance efficiency of screening. It has ensured daily and periodical report on screening results and operational efficiency of container scanners in the whole customs sector; advised the General Department of Vietnam Customs to issue Official Letters for instruction.