Preventing, combating and promptly handling violations, as well as exchanging information about signs of violation and high-risk goods are bright spots in the coordination between units in Quang Ninh Customs.

Coordination in sharing information about import and export enterprises and
bonded warehouses with signs of violation. In the photo: Bac PhongSinh
Customs officers inspect imported goods. Photo: Q.Hung

Coordination in smuggling control

Coordination has been concretized by units under and attached to Quang Ninh Customs Department for each field; the content is increasingly close and effective, bringing into play the active role of the customs control force in fulfillingthe political tasks of each unit. For example, the coordination regulations of customs control between Customs Enforcement Team 1 and Customs Branches: Hoanh Mo border gate and Bac PhongSinhwas issued in the context that Quang Ninh Customs proposed solutions to improve the business investment climate, accompany, support, and facilitate enterprises and strengthen prevention and fight against smuggling, illegal transportation of goods, trade fraud and counterfeiting.

In the first ten months of 2020, Hoanh Mo border-gate Customs Branch handled 35 cases and 27 offenders with the value of infringing goods reaching VND626.06 million; Bac PhongSinh Customs Branch handled two cases with the value of infringing goods reaching nearly VND300 million; Customs Enforcement Team No. 1 handled 71 cases and 63 offenders with the value of infringing goods reaching more than VND2.7 billion.

According to the leader of Quang Ninh Customs Department, every year, the coordination is closely followed by units and concretized in the key tasks that Quang Ninh Customs set out in the customs control plan.

Thereby promoting efficiency in customs control, forecasting the situation, proactively preventing, fighting and promptly handling violations. The coordination activities have been given importance and guided by the leaders of the units in a timely manner to ensure the principles of unity, concentration, security, efficiency and in accordance with functions and missions.

In addition, the information sharing is implemented smoothly, the information provided by the Hoanh Mo border-gate Customs Branch and Bac PhongSinh Customs Branch to the Customs Enforcement Team 1 is timely and accurate. Specifically, information about import – export enterprises and bonded warehouses with signs of violation and high-risk goods have been updated and provided fully. In contrast, Customs Enforcement Team 1 has provided information to Hoanh Mo border gate Customs Branch and Bac Phong Sinh Customs Branch about smuggling, trade fraud, and illegal cross-border transportation of goods, which were handled or are subject to key suspects inside and outside the branches.

Based on the results obtained in the coordination work, the customs control units have effectively and promptly advised the Steering Committee 389 of districts and cities (Mong Cai, Binh Lieu, Hai Ha). Therefore, smuggling, trade fraud, illegal transportation and trading of goods have been controlled, contributing to stabilizing social order and economic stability in the localities.

Prevent smuggling hotspots

Forecasting the smuggling, illegal cross-border transport of goods, trade fraud and counterfeit goods that may have complicated developments in the near future, Customs Enforcement Team No. 1 together with Hoanh Mo border gate Customs Branch and Bac Phong Sinh Customs Branch has recently continued to sign coordination regulations on customs control.

Accordingly, the units have developed and agreed on a coordination plan and conductedjoint patrols and control work at the border gate area, departure points of goods, and customs checkpoints under the customs management area to promptly prevent, detect and deal with acts of smuggling, illegal cross-border trafficking of goods, counterfeit goods and trade fraud.

In addition, the units have worked together to carry out operational measures, patrol and control in a timely manner to detect smuggling suspects, lines and groups, illegal cross-border transportation of goods in order to preventthe formation ofgathering places and warehouses and hotspots for smuggling and trade fraud in the areas under their management.

When organizing the prevention and handling of cases of smuggling, illegal cross-border trafficking of goods or cases related to counterfeit goods and trade fraud, the unit in charge is the unit discovering violations. The others are responsible for coordinating and supporting forces and offering means to inspect, chase, stop vehicles, arrest suspects,as well as seize goods and means of transport.