Officials of Noi Bai International Airport Customs Branch guide procedures for immigration passengers. Photo: N.Linh

Bring technology to support the identification of risky objects

According to Noi Bai International Airport Customs Branch, currently one of the solutions being applied by the unit is "Immigration passenger management software". This software will support the analysis, identification and tracking of key objects, thereby improving the efficiency of customs inspection and supervision at Noi Bai International Airport. After the pilot implementation period, Noi Bai International Airport Customs Branch is currently completing new functions.

In addition, Noi Bai International Airport Customs Branch continues to coordinate with units of the General Department of Customs and Hanoi Customs Department, airlines and centralized warehouse businesses to operate the National Single Window system and the Automatic Surveillance Management system at Noi Bai International Airport, until now it has become familiar and been supported by the business community. After nearly 3 years of official implementation, 100% of airlines have sent information to the National Single Window. The Automatic Surveillance Management System has connected all airport warehouses at Noi Bai International Airport, the system's automatic processing rate has reached a stable level of over 99.57%; Customs clearance time for each shipment is reduced from 3-6 hours to an average of less than 10 minutes; On average, each day, about 5,300 shipments are managed and monitored through the system.

Continuing to apply technology to support supervision and management, currently, Noi Bai International Airport Customs Branch is actively implementing solutions to effectively implement digital transformation on the basis of the application of information technology and achievements of the 4th Industrial Revolution. To realize the above goals, the department focuses on 4 groups of solutions: first, Develop a thematic resolution on reform ways, modernization and application of information technology; Second, Build high-quality human resources to serve the smooth operation of information technology application systems, develop plans, and continue to perfect the National Single Window system and Automatic Customs Supervision in Noi Bai International Airport; Third, Deploy and build applications to share data and information connecting from the Department to the Branches and businesses; Fourth, centrally connect data of screening images, cameras, tax refund information and create facilitation associated with propaganda and guidance for businesses.

Actively coordinate closely to prepare for WCO's major event in Vietnam

The 2023 World Customs Organization (WCO) Technology Conference and Exhibition hosted by the General Department of Customs takes place in Hanoi, from October 10 to 12, 2023. With the scale and importance of the event, Noi Bai International Airport Customs Branch has been actively coordinating with the organizing committee to prepare a thoughtful reception and send-off of delegates at the airport.

Deputy Director of Noi Bai International Airport Border Gate Customs Branch Phung Quang Minh said that the unit and the organizing committee of the General Department of Customs surveyed and selected locations to place welcome posters and banners, set up a reception desk, guide guests at the airport and work with local agencies to agree on a plan to prepare for the event.

According to the leader of Noi Bai International Airport Customs Branch, an advantage of the branch is that it has experience in serving many major events of the country such as APEC, and ASEM. Through exchanges and working with units in the area, all parties affirmed that they would coordinate and actively support the organizing committee of the General Department of Customs to ensure the successful organization of the WCO event held in Vietnam. In recent days, the Branch's leaders have always urged and directed officials and civil servants, and at the same time coordinated with Noi Bai International Airport Authority and relevant functional forces to arrange on-duty forces to ensure safety, security as well as carry out procedures conveniently and quickly for the group as expected.

Detected and handled nearly 160 violations

In addition to implementing reform and modernization solutions, Noi Bai International Airport Customs Branch focuses on solutions to prevent smuggling and trade fraud. According to statistics, Noi Bai International Airport ranks first in the number of imported and exported goods and second in the number of passengers entering and exiting via air nationwide. Therefore, the situation of smuggling and illegal transportation of goods across the border here has many complicated developments.

To ensure management work, Noi Bai International Airport Customs Branch strengthens inspection and control of temporary import, re-export, transit, transshipment, and immigration activities to detect, arrest and promptly handle smuggling activities, trade fraud, and illegal transportation of goods through Noi Bai international airport; Simultaneously, synchronously apply customs control measures, strictly control key subjects, key goods, and goods with high tax rates and great value such as gold, mobile phones, cigarettes, wine, etc.

At the same time, proactively coordinate closely with functional forces to inspect, control and handle violations to ensure strict compliance with the law. In particular, the unit always encourages officials and civil servants to improve their professional qualifications and political bravery in detecting, investigating, and handling violations. Since then, many cases of smuggling and trade fraud have been discovered and arrested by the Noi Bai Customs force.

In the first 8 months of 2023, Noi Bai International Airport Customs Branch detected, arrested, verified, investigated and promptly handled 157 cases of customs law violations, of which, Administrative violations 141 cases, fines were more than 1.1 billion VND (8 months of 2022 are 138 cases, fines are more than 782 million VND).

The Branch also handled and coordinated the handling of 15 cases according to criminal law, of which Noi Bai International Airport Customs Branch prosecuted 4 cases with a total value of evidence of violations of nearly 4.8 billion VND, on charges of illegally transporting goods and currency across the border; transferred to the investigation agency to prosecute 11 cases, with crimes of violating regulations on protecting rare and endangered animals, transporting prohibited goods, and illegally transporting goods across the border.

In particular, regarding the fight against drugs, units coordinated and arrested 25 cases in the first 8 months of 2023, arrested 18 subjects, and evidence of violations is more than 470 kg of drugs of all kinds, compared to the same period last year, the number of arrests increased by 257%.