Customs has been supervising strictly an imported container from Poland of chicken feet suspected of infection

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illustration image. Source: Interntet

Through a discussion with Customs New reporter, on 17/7, the leader of Customs Control and Supervision Division (Hai Phong Customs Department) said that, the shipment currently has been supervised strictly in the Customs operation area. At the same time, Hai Phong Customs Department is ready to collaborate with the enterprise and competent authorities in order to implement procedures relating to that shipment.

Manager of Hai Phong port area 2 Customs Branch – Nguyen Thi Thu Hien said that the above shipment of chicken feet was transported to Hai An port area (Hai Phong) under the management area of the unit. However, the enterprise has not opened declaration and implemented customs procedure for importing yet.

"Immediately after receiving the information of suspected shipment, Customs Branch sent an official letter to request Hai An port to coordinate with the customs authority to closely supervise until the enterprise comes to do customs procedures, the Branch will continue to coordinate with other competent authorities for implementing the procedures as prescribed," Nguyen Thi Thu Hien said.

Regarding the work of management for this shipment, the reporter talked to Mr. Doan Thanh Luy, Director of Regional Animal Health Office (RAHO) No.II (Department of Animal Health, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development) – the management unit in Hai Phong.

According to Mr.Doan Thanh Luy, after receiving information from the competent authorities, the unit has timely coordinated with Hai Phong Customs Department to strictly manage the shipment.

"Till now, frozen chicken feet shipments which have been imported to Hai Phong port area are mainly temporary import and re-export goods. Directly imported goods to Vietnam are few and we have not detected any violations yet. On the other hand, with the frozen food shipment under temporary import and re-export, the Animal Health authority only checks the dossiers and seals the containers to supervise the consignment from the time of import into Vietnam until it is re-exported from Vietnam. Thus for this case it does not open containers to take samples to the laboratory for testing," Mr. Doan Thanh Luy said.

Previously, the Customs Control and Management Department (General Department of Vietnam Customs) sent an express document to Haiphong Customs Department to request for strict inspection and supervision of the imported shipment of container EMLU53397010 which was transported by the HAIAN SONG ship to Hai Phong port on 30/6.

"In the case that an enterprise has carried out import procedures, the Hai Phong Customs Department should provide information related to the shipment so that competent authorities sum up and report to the higher level of competent authorities for giving direction on settlement." the Customs Control and Supervision Department emphasized.

Earlier, the Consulate General of Vietnam in Hong Kong informed the local authorities in Vietnam about the fact that the Hong Kong Food safety and Hygiene Department warned about the shipment of frozen chicken feet originating in Poland imported through Hong Kong market with the content of Salmonella enterica ser Infantis exceeding the standard as prescribed by Europe.