Abusing postal services to transport smuggled goods

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Smuggled goods in a warehouse of 10,000 m2 in Lao Cai.

Amid the outbreak and development of the Covid-19 pandemic, commercial activities, including international trade have gradually shifted to e-commerce transactions. One of the “channels” of this activity is illegal transportation of smuggled goods via postal and telecommunications services.

Stemming from the above reasons, it is forecast that smuggling and illegal transportation of goods across border gates will see new development.

Notably, some traders have abused the postal and telecommunications services as a “convenient channel” to transport smuggled goods that are legalized by using sale invoices to transport goods from the border to domestic markets for consumption.

This situation has increased, causing difficulties for forces preventing smuggling, trade fraud and fake goods in inspecting, arresting and handling.

According to reflections via the hotline of the National Steering Committee 389, recently, some traders in Bac Ninh and Ha Noi have illegally imported cosmetic products witha large volume and low-quality to deliver to areas for consumption by express delivery service.

A typical case of the transportation of goods via postal services is the case of a warehouse measuring10,000m2 containing smuggled goods in Lao Cai, which has just been investigatedby competent forces. Goods are transported to wholesale and retail customers nationwide via express delivery services.

In some inland container ports (ICD), traders have used these warehouses to store smuggled goods and then deliver goods via postal services for consumption.

According to the current law, freight units and freight services in the postal and telecommunications sector are not responsible for goods transported by these units (except for prohibited goods as prescribed by law). Goods are the responsibility of thesender and receiver.

For express delivery operators, they only register for the postal service business. Therefore, as per regulations, when competent forces require inspections of goods transported by postal service companies, these goods must be taken to the headquarters of thepost office.

Postal service companies often use specialized vehicles to transport goods, so they are less likely to be inspected.

Currently, many companies have registered for postal service business for the purpose of transporting goods, including smuggled and counterfeit goods.

To prevent this situation, the Steering Committee 389 of provinces and cities should advise provincial leaders to direct competent forces to strengthen coordination in implementing the prevention of smuggling and trade fraudand counterfeit goods, pay attention to modes of transporting smuggled goods via postal services, as well as prevent the establishment of smuggling areas in this activity.

Customs forces should focus on strict inspection, supervision and control for goods transported via express delivery services within the customs area; promptly detect, prevent and strictly handle violations.

The police and market surveillance forces should strengthen inspection and control of key routes, postal service points, and business establishments using sales invoices and value-added invoices to strictly handle violations.

It is necessary to amend and supplement legal provisions related to the business of postal and telecommunications services to ensure security and safety in postal activities.

Strengthen specialized inspection for goods transported via postal services. Strictly handle violations in transporting smuggled goods on the road.