Backlogged scrap decreases by 65 percent

paper scrap was imported. Photo by: N.Linh

This was an effort of the Customs authority and the competent forces in preventing ineligible scrap from being imported into Vietnam, and at the same time, facilitating quick clearance for eligible shipments.

It could be seen that the management of scrap in recent years continues to be a key issue in customs management. The General Department of Vietnam Customs continued to direct the whole sector to prevent loading ineligibe scrap shipments; strengthening the analysis of sampling tests; strengthen coordination with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to closely manage, coordinate with investigating agencies to strictly handle violations; facilitate quick clearance for eligible shipments.

On the basis of Decree No. 40/2019/ND-CP dated May 13, 2019 of the Government, amending and supplementing a number of articles of the decrees stipulating specifically and guiding the implementation of the Environmental Protection Law, the General Department of Vietnam Customs issued Document No.7402/TCHQ-GSQL dated November 27, 2019, instructing provincial Customs Departments in carrying out customs procedures for imported scrap in accordance with regulations.

Besides that, implementing directives of the Government, the Ministry of Finance has established an inter-branch working group to handle backlogged scrap at Vietnamese seaports. The General Department of Vietnam Customs issued Document No. 6632/TCHQ-GSQL guiding the provincial Customs Departments to handle backlogged scrap to review, announce to find goods owners, counting and classifying to announce for finding goods owners, establishing a council of handling backlogged goods.

At the same time, guiding the handling mechanism for shipments eligible for import, resolutely require shipping lines to transport ineligible shipments out of Vietnamese territory.

With the strict control, the situation of backlogged scrap stored at ports has clearly decreased. Especially, when Decision No. 35/2019/QD-TTg of Prime Minister dated December 19, 2019, promulgating the regulation on inter-branch coordination to manage the import of scrap takes effect, the General Department of Vietnam Customs has actively and seriously implemented the assigned tasks to achieve the state management goal for this activity.

Specifically, according to Decision No. 35/2019/QD-TTg of the Prime Minister, ministers and the People's Committees would coordinate to exchange and provide information and documents on the provisions of law, guidelines and new policies directly related to the management of importing scrap as raw materials for production in the fields under their management; coordinate in state management under their professional fields in order to improve management efficiency for activities of importing scrap.

Coordinating in the inspection and examination of importing scrap when necessary; coordinating and discussing operation modes and tricks by organizations and individuals, serving the verification, investigation and handling of violations regarding importing scrap; coordinating in the prevention, detection and handling of violations of the law on importing scrap.

Depending on the content of coordination, the coordination might be performed via sending documents, emails; holding exchange meetings and collecting opinions; exchanging and coordinating via phone and fax; updating and sharing information related to importing scrap to the National Single Window Portal, the electronic information portal of the ministries; estalishing a working group to handle urgent and interdisciplinary issues.

The choice of coordination method was agreed by agencies and ministries at the same level, and made decission appropriately with specific conditions in each locality and unit level.

Ministries and branches were responsible for the management and inspection of goods that imported scrap as raw materials for production in accordance with their assigned functions and tasks; at the same time took responsibility for their information, conclusions and inspection results related to this item in the course of coordination; strictly handle violations of law.