Approximately 14,000 tonnes of dragon fruit were shipped to the Chinese market through the Lao Cai International Border Gate in the northern province of Lao Cai between February 10 and February 17, the sixth day of the Lunar New Year holiday, known locally as Tet, according to the gate’s custom office. 

Container trucks carrying agricultural products wait for customs clerance
procedure via Kim Thanh II International Border Gate (Photo: VNA)

Throughout the reviewed period, the total import-export turnover through Lao Cai border gate reached over US$11 million, of which imports hit roughly US$2.4 million and exports grossed more than US$8.8 million, with the majority coming from farm produce.

Relevant agencies at the gate were able to capably facilitate customs clearance procedures to export goods in the fastest and safest manner possible during the opening days of Tet.

Le Phuong, director of Lao Cai Border Gate Customs Office, said Kim Thanh II International Border Gate had abided by the strict implementation of preventive measures against the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic while simultaneously ensuring customs clearance procedures for businesses.

In total, the border gate conducted approximately 29,000 customs declarations for 516 enterprises, with import-export turnover reaching more than US$1 billion.

In the year ahead, the Lao Cai Border Gate Customs Office plans to work closely alongside relevant units in order to speed up the administrative reform process, by deploying electronic customs clearance procedures, so as to shorten the time and costs for businesses.