Binh Phuoc Customs prevents pandemic and facilitates customs clearance

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Customs operation at Dong Phu Customs Team, Chon Thanh Customs Branch. Photo: Chon Thanh.

Mr. Nguyen Van Ngan, Deputy Director of Binh Phuoc Customs Department, said that on March 31, Binh Phuoc Customs Department issued a Dispatch requesting its subordinate units to urgently perform tasks, such as implementing directions of the Government, ministries, sectors, Provincial Party Committee and People's Committee of Binh Phuoc province in the prevention and control of Covid-19. The heads of units are responsible for directing and requesting their units to strictly implement the above directions; responsible for cadres, civil servants and employees infected with the disease due to not strictly complying with regulations on prevention and control of the pandemic in the workplace.

Ngan requested the units to ensure customs management, assign cadres and civil servants to perform customs clearance for exported, imported, and transited goods; vehicles on exit, entry and in transit; luggage of people on exit and entry; ensure customs control; maintain the operation of the information technology system and the user support system during the period of prevention and control of Covid-19.

Except for the above tasks and other necessary tasks requested by the leaders of units, such as being on duty, handling confidential documents, ensuring headquarters safety, other tasks are performed online. The number of officers working directly at the headquarters must be maintained at a minimum. Heads of units must ensure that there are no backlogs and delays in task performance. The units must contact local governments to carry out the procedures for officers who are shifted to perform the task.

At customs branches, the Customs Enforcement Teams must coordinate with the Border Guard force to strictly follow the direction on temporarily closing the main border gates (Hoang Dieu and Loc Thinh border gates) and the auxiliary border gate (Tan Tien border gate) from 0:00 on April 1; strengthen the control of trails and border crossings in the border with Cambodia, strictly control the entry through Hoa Lu International Border Gate, and implement concentrated quarantine for all immigrants from Cambodia.

According to Hoa Lu International Border Gate Customs Branch, since April 1, customs clearance of goods at the border gate has occurred normally. However, due to the impact of Covid-19 on businesses in the area, the import-export activities through the border are insignificant.

Vo Quoc Bao, Manager of Hoa Lu International Border Gate Customs Branch said that the branch has coordinated with the Border Guard force and the Quarantine force to strictly implement preventive measures according to the recommendations of the Health Ministry.

Goods containers that change the trailers and drivers of containers across the border gate at Float No.0 and Milestone No. 69 have implemented the disinfection for means and goods as prescribed. Import and export enterprises have actively taken measures to prevent and control the pandemic.

According to Hoa Lu International Border Gate Customs Branch, from April 1 to 8, the branch processed customs clearance for 166 export, import, transit declarations and nearly 490 vehicles temporarily imported for re-export and temporarily exported for re-import with an import and export turnover of more than US$7.3 million and State budget revenue of VND262 million.

At Chon Thanh Customs Branch, according to Nguyen Thi Hong Hanh, Director of Chon Thanh Customs Branch, from April 1 to 4, the branch carried out customs procedures for 197 enterprises with over 2,200 declarations with a turnover of more than US$77 million and the State budget revenue of over VND17.8 billion.

According to Chon Thanh Customs Branch, to ensure favorable customs clearance for enterprises amid the pandemic, especially during the implementation of social distancing, the branch assigns specific officials to support enterprises via email and phone to grasp information from enterprises, especially enterprises related to countries affected by the disease to promptly instruct.

The branch has also encouraged enterprises to carry out online customs procedures via customs operational programs, online public service system, tax payment via banks. At the same time, creating favorable conditions for enterprises in import-export activities, focus on facilitating customs clearance for goods, machinery, equipment, raw materials, supplies and goods as medical supplies and equipment for prevention of the disease.