Ba Ria-Vung Tau PCU: Improving the efficiency of container control at seaports

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Delegates cut the tape at the opening ceremony of the Container Control Unit.

The Global Container Control Program was a collaboration between the Ministry of Finance (the General Department of Vietnam Customs) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.

At the ceremony, the Deputy Director General of Vietnam Customs, Mr. Vu Ngoc Anh said that in the context of increasing organizational crime; anti-smuggling and anti commercial fraud were very important tasks of Vietnam Customs. The tasks became even more difficult when the tricks of the criminals transporting illicit goods through container by sea became more sophisticated. Perpetrators often made use of loopholes in policies to smuggle or illegally transport prohibited goods by tricks such as concealing in goods transported by sea. Recognizing the effectiveness of the port facility control model within the framework of the Container Control Program, the Vietnam Government has approved the General Department of Vietnam Customs to participate in the program.

Ba Ria - Vung Tau Port Control Unit has been well trained to use risk analysis techniques and other useful tools to minimize negative impacts on free flow of trading. This has increased the efficiency of law enforcement and the promotion of trade.

Ba Ria - Vung Tau Port Control Unit was formed from a young and experienced staff. The participation of Ba Ria - Vung Tau Customs Department leaders kicked off great expectation of Ba Ria - Vung Tau Customs Department in particular and the General Department of Vietnam Customs in general in the work of anti-smuggling and combating prohibited goods which threat to human safety and social security", the Deputy Director General of Vietnam Customs emphasized.

The Container Control Program (CCP) is a part of Subprogram 1 "Transnational Organized Crime and Illegal Trafficking" within the framework of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime for the period 2012-2017 which was signed in July 2012 between the Government of Vietnam (represented by the Ministry of Planning and Investment) and UNODC.

The CCP is a joint initiative between UNODC and the World Customs Organization (WCO), which is designed to assist Governments in strengthening the capacity of law enforcement to improve the effectiveness of container control at seaports, minimizing the risk of transnational organized crime for the illegal transportation of narcotics, wildlife, weapons, etc., to organize transnational crime and other forms of illegal activities.

CCP is a program that has been implemented and has been successful in more than 50 countries in the world. Within the framework of the program, there have been nearly 60 Port Control Units (PCUs) to be established in Africa (Kenya, Morocco, Ghana and etc.,), America (Argentina, Brazil, Chile), Asia (India, Bangladesh) and Southeast Asia including Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Laos, Philippines, Thailand. And Vietnam.

In Vietnam, approved by the Government in Official Letter No. 1745 / TTg-QHQT on Vietnam joining the CCP, the Ministry of Finance authorized the leaders of the General Department of Vietnam Customs to sign the Letter of Agreement between the Ministry of Finance of Vietnam and UNODC about joining the Container Control Program on 6th February 2015. Currently, the CCP has been deployed at the Customs Department of Hai Phong City from March 2015 which was sponsored by the Canadian Government and the Customs Department of Ba Ria - Vung Tau Province from November 2015 sponsored by the Australian Government.

Under the CCP, Ba Ria - Vung Tau Port Control Unit (BR – VT PCU) was officially established under Decision No. 3229 / QĐ-HQBRVT of 19th October 2016 of the Customs Department of Ba Ria - Vung Tau province, with 9 members, including the Deputy Director of the Customs Department of Ba Ria - Vung Tau Province as the Head of the unit and the remaining members of the Customs Branches and others as members.

Ba Ria-Vung Tau PCU is set up in the model of applying advanced risk management measures combined with anti-smuggling control activities to improve the efficiency of inspections and control of containers at seaports in Ba Ria - Vung Tau province. The unit is responsible for receiving and processing information and implementing port control measures to prevent and combat smuggling and illegal transportation of prohibited goods at Ba Ria - Vung Tau seaport. The key tasks include narcotics, wildlife, weapons, insidious goods, prohibited exports and imports.

Ba Ria - Vung Tau PCU has also been trained in basic and advanced method by the UNODC and the WCO and provided with workplace facilities, equipment and tools to support the work.

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Some pictures at the opening ceremony:

The opening ceremony.

Delegates visit the Center of the container control.

Delegates and members of the Container Control Unit.