The Customs sector has tackled 3,242 violations withthe value of infringing goods estimated at nearly VND 979 billion; the revenue reaches VND 52.56 billion, the Customs has prosecuted five cases and transferred 23 to other agencies, according to the General Department of Vietnam Customs.

Mobile phones smuggled from South Korea to Noi Bai International Airport
seized by Team 1 on February 1. Photo: T.B

Smuggling and illegal cross-border transportation of goods has tended to decrease compared to the same period last year, but the volume of infringing goods and complexcases increased in the first quarter, the GDVC reported.

The tricks of smugglers are more sophisticated with the tendency to carry out customs procedures in customs departments with a large volume of import and export goods instead of those with a smallervolume of import and export goods to avoid controls by Customs.

Detected violations mainly are smugglers who have set up bogus companies and donot operate at the registered address and abused the channel classification (green and red channel) for smuggling. Infringing goods mainly are banned goods, small and high-value goods such as drugs, weapons, wildlife products listed under the CITES such as rhino horn, ivory, pangolin scales, mobile phone, cigarettes, and alcohol.

The Ha Noi Customs Department and the North Anti-Smuggling Enforcement Team detected a company showing signs of intellectual property infringement at the checkpoint at IDC My Dinh of Interserco My Dinh Joint Stock Company on January 27 and 28.

The infringing goods were 800 NOVA heating lamps and 8,445 HITACHI heating lamps.

The case is under the investigation by the North Anti-Smuggling Enforcement Team and Bac Hanoi Customs Branch (under Hanoi Customs Department) and other relevant units.

Tan Son Nhat Customs Branch (under HCM City Customs Department) and Team 6 (under the Anti-Smuggling and Investigation Department) detected three cases of illegal cross-border transportation of drugs and seized nine kg of synthetic drugs and 10 bags of suspected marijuana at TCS warehouse on January 30.

Team 1(under the Anti-Smuggling and Investigation Department) and Noi Bai International Airport Customs Branch seized more than1,000 used mobile phones that are banned from import at a warehouse of Noi Bai Cargo Services Joint Stock Company on February 1.

Da Nang Seaport Customs Department (under Da Nang Customs Department) and Customs Marine Enforcement Fleet 2 and Da Nang Police detected several shipments, including imported containers of garments, used travel blankets and blankets, and Ariel Bio Science detergent; threecontainers of imported machinery and equipment used for kitchen, household electrical appliances; watches; food and wine; and used garment products.