Import and export activities through Kim Thanh international border gate No. II. Photo: T.Binh.

Impressive result in durian exports

The last days of 2023 are almost over. Deputy Director of Lao Cai International Border Gate Customs Branch Nguyen Thi Thanh Binh shared with us positive information about import and export activities through the areas managed by the unit, especially export of agricultural products to China.

According to Ms. Binh, from the beginning of the year to December 21, the total import-export turnover processed at the unit reached approximately US$1 billion, rising 52% year-on-year.

Notably, export turnover surged 205% year-on-year to US$529.5 million, mainly from agricultural products.

The most impressive is the export of durian with a turnover of US$230.8 million, accounting for nearly 43.6% of the export turnover at the branch.

Although it has only been officially exported at the branch since October 2022, durian has soon risen to become the group with the largest export turnover and far surpasses other traditional agricultural groups.

In addition to durian, in 2023, Lao Cai International Border Gate Customs Branch also carried out customs clearance for many key Vietnamese agricultural products such as: Dragon fruit (reaching US$78.74 million), lychee (nearly US$21 million USD), cassava (US$19.3 million), watermelon (US$10.3 million).

For many years, Kim Thanh No. II International Land Border Gate, Lao Cai has been under the management of the branch, and has been the most important export point of Vietnam's agricultural products to China.

Deputy Director of Lao Cai Customs Department Duong Xuan Sinh said that to facilitate import and export activities through the area, especially agricultural products, Lao Cai Customs Department and Ha Khau Customs (China) set a separate prioritize path at Kim Thanh No. II International Land Border Gate.

Along with that, Lao Cai Customs Department regularly disseminates legal policies, helping businesses master the regulations to declare customs procedures quickly and properly.

Strengthening Customs-Business partnership

Deputy Director of the Branch Nguyen Thi Thanh Binh added that one of the specific solutions set by the branch is to strengthen the development of the Customs - Business partnership to become more and more practical and effective.

Accordingly, the branch has strengthened the Customs – Business Consulting Group to advise, propose and resolve difficulties for businesses.

Proactively assigning and arranging leaders and civil servants to directly support and advise on resolving problems during the customs clearance; warning about factors that reduce the level of compliance of businesses; providing warning information and risk trends on supply chain security and intellectual property infringement in the field of import and export.

In 2023, the branch answered and advised on customs procedures 90 times for 45 businesses. The contents were mainly on declaration procedures and product policies, tax policies, commodity codes... for import and export goods.

At the same time, the branch continued to hold dialogues with businesses and partners in the area; follow the contents in the signed cooperation agreement with the business.

Providing and guiding businesses with immigration and import-export activities through Kim Thanh No. II International Land Border Gate to declare vehicles on the digital border gate system (https://cuakhauso.laocai. gov.vn) in handling immigration, import and export procedures...

Ms. Nguyen Thi Tuoi (An employee of Nam Phong Import-Export Company Limited, Lao Cai) said: The company regularly carry out export procedures for agricultural products at Lao Cai International Border Gate Customs Branch. The customs declaration is done on the VNACCS/VCIS system. If the declaration is classified into Green channel, the customs clearance will be granted immediately, in case the declaration is classified into Yellow channel, the customs officers also dedicatedly guide to complete the customs dossiers according to regulations, meet fast customs clearance requirements to ensure the quality of fresh fruit products.

Sharing the same opinion, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuong (Huy Hieu Import-Export and Trading Company Limited, Lao Cai) shared that the company often carry out export procedures for durian products. Although this is a new item, the Lao Cai International Border Gate Customs Branch provide dedicated guidance so the procedures are processed smoothly.