Customs is ready for coordination with Maritime Administration in handling backlogged scraps

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	Soon report to the Government solutions to tighten scrap management

Backlogged scraps at Cat Lai. Photo: T.H

In the written reply of the Vietnam Maritime Administration regarding the coordination in handling goods containers which are delayed in moving and in risk of backlog at seaports, the GDVC has proposed this Administration to report to the Ministry of Transport to request the Maritime Administration not to grant licenses for means of entering port, which have previously transported derelict goods, or goods forced to be re-exported due to law violation, or derelict goods causing environmental pollution, or goods forced to be re-exported but owners of transport means did not transport these goods out of Vietnamese territory according to the provisions of Article 58 of the Customs Law.

Regarding this problem, the GDVC said that from 25th to 26th June of 2018, the GDVC set up a working group to work with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment’s working group at Ho Chi Minh City Customs Department to survey and grasp the situation of imported scrap backlog at Cat Lai port.

On 27th June, the Ministry of Finance issued Official document 771/BTC-TCHQ reporting to the Prime Minister on the handling for imported scrap backlog at seaports. In which, the Ministry of Finance proposed the Prime Minister to request Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Ministry of Industry and Trade, Ministry of Transport to take measures to promptly prevent the risk of environmental pollution and remove congestion at seaports due to a huge volume of imported scrap which have not been carried out Customs procedures.

Regarding the competency and task of Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Finance has proposed the Prime Minister to direct Ministry of Transport to lead and coordinate with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment in instructing seaport operators to check Certificate of eligibility of environmental protection for scrap imports as raw material for production before unloading cargo to port. If the cargo owners or shipping lines do not submit this certificate, the cargo will not be unloaded to port.

Previously, after receiving reflections from the Sai Gon New Port Corporation, provincial and municipal Customs Departments and the press, In June 2018, the GDVC issued 2 Official documents to instruct provincial and municipal Customs Departments to strengthen the management for the scrap imports into Vietnam.

According to statistics of the GDVC on backlogged scrap at some of Vietnam’s large seaports, Cat Lai Port has the largest volume of backlogged scrap in the country.

Declared plastic film, importing scrap VCN – 2 containers which were imported to Cat Lai port declared as plastic films but were ...

Specifically, as of 23rd June 2018, at Cat Lai Port, the total number of containers over 90-day backlog from arrival at the port is 2,068 containers; Total number of containers less than 90-day backlog is 1,563 containers.

At Hai Phong Port, as of 5th June 2018, the total number of containers over 90-day backlog from arrival is 737 containers; Total number of containers less than 90-day backlog is 507 containers.

At Cai Mep Port, as of 23rd June 2018, total number of containers over 90-day backlog from arrival is zero container; Total number of containers less than 90-day backlog is 772 containers.

At Hiep Phuoc Port, as of 23rd June 2018, total number of containers over 90-day backlog from the arrival is zero container; Total number of containers less than 90-day backlog is 8 containers.