Facing the complex situation of the Covid-19 pandemic, to ensure the dual task of pandemic prevention and smooth operation of import and export activities, the General Department of Vietnam Customs (GDVC) has guided provincial customs departments to inspect preservation of goods in case of Covid-19 pandemic outbreak and complex developments.

Customs officials of HCM City Customs checked imported goods. Photo: T.H

For inspecting the preservation of goods as prescribed at Point b.1.1, Clause 5, Article 32 of Circular 38/2015/TT-BTC, as amended and supplemented in Clause 19, Article 1 of Circular 39/2018/ TT-BTC, do not inspect the preservation of goods until the GDVC has a new notice.

In case of exceeding the time limit in Point a.1 Clause 5 Article 32 of Circular 38/2015/TT-BTC, as amended and supplemented in Clause 19, Article 1 of Circular 39/2018/TT-BTC, if the Customs authority has not received the specialised inspection results, the GDVC requires the customs branch to have exchange document with the specialised inspection agency to clarify the reason for the delay in returning the inspection results.

Regarding inspection of storage locations, the GDVC shall provide guidance on the basis of the application for taking goods back to store that is submitted by the enterprise through the customs electronic data processing system, the customs branch where the declaration is registered for the first time, temporarily does not inspect the storage location of goods, requested firms to provide online images through video recording devices of the storage location of goods to handle procedures.

The GDVC assigned the Customs Departments of provinces and cities to base on the developments of the pandemic in their respective areas to direct their branches for strengthening information collection and risk assessment for the case of temporarily not checking the preservation of goods, the location of goods preservation due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

When there is information about the imported consignment not being preserved in accordance with the provisions of law or not being brought to the place for preservation within the registered time limit, the Customs authority should immediately inspect it or send a request to the customs branch where goods are kept for inspection. Inspection must ensure strict compliance with regulations on Covid-19 prevention and compliance with regulations of the Ministry of Health and local authorities.