Recently, some firms have not gone through quarantine procedures and sold live pigs at border gates in central provinces.

Pig imports across the Lao Bao International Border Gate,
Quang Tri Customs Department. Photo: Lao Bao customs branch.

In February and April, Cha Lo Customs Branch (under Quang Binh Customs Department) prosecuted criminal cases of Bac-Trung-Nam Company and a household Bu Van Huy for selling imported goods awaiting quarantine.

In June, Lao Bao Border Gate Customs Branch prosecuted Vinh Phu Company and Dai Phong Company for failing to go through quarantine procedures and selling import goods worth more than VND20 billion.

According to the branch, these two firms have violated the Law on Foreign Trade Management, the Law on Customs, and the Law on Veterinary Medicine for importing live pigs subject to specialised inspection but failing to go through quarantine procedures and selling goods that have not been cleared by Customs.

Quang Tri Customs Department cited the Customs Law and Decree 08/2015 saying goods subject to specialised inspection and taken to storage waiting for customs clearance must be controlled by customs.

Article 32, Circular 38/2015 dated March 25 of the Ministry of Finance stipulates goods must be quarantined at the border gate. If the quarantine authority allows firms to take goods to domestic quarantine centres, the customs will base on the application for quarantine to permit goods owner to transport goods the quarantine centres.

The Customs declarant must be responsible under the law in transportation and preservation of goods at the quarantine centre until being granted the import permit before trading goods. The quarantine centre is responsible for monitoring and supervising goods during transportation, quarantine and storage awaiting quarantine results complying with regulations of the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

However, specific guidance hse not been issued to resolve some shortcomings for imported goods as live pig waiting for specialised inspection results.

Quang Tri Customs Department proposes the General Department of Vietnam Customs finalise the decree regulating on management mechanisms, methods, procedures for quality inspection and food safety inspection for import goods.

Especially, provisions on responsibility for inspection, supervision, risk management and handling violations for goods waiting for specialised inspection results, avoiding overlaps between authorities.