Drivers from five Vietnamese provinces and cities with risk of epidemic not allowed to enter China

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Vehicles carrying goods are parked along National Highway 1A to move to the border gate. Photo: T.H

According to Hoi, in Lang Son area, goods are mainly imported and exported across the border gates of Huu Nghi, Chi Ma, Tan Thanh, Coc Nam, Binh Nghi and Dong Dang Railway Station. In recent days, clearance capacity at the border gates has improved, but the number of vehicles and goods backlogged at the border gate areas is still large.

By the end of March 31, 1,216 vehicles still were congested. Of which, 405 vehicles were at Huu Nghi Border Gate, 582 vehicles at Chi Ma Border Gate, 33 vehicles at Coc Nam Border Gate, 69 vehicles at Binh Nghi Border Gate and 18 cars at Dong Dang International Railway Station. In addition, more than 300 vehicles carrying agricultural products are packed in some parking lots and along National Highway 1A from Lang Son city to Huu Nghi Border Gate.

Currently, police are regulating vehicles to gradually move into the border area and minimise congestion at the border. Meanwhile, vehicles and exported goods from inland areas to the border gates waiting to be exported continue to increase, leading to congestion at border gates and causing damage to people and enterprises.

Hoi said the Chinese government confirmed it has basically prevented the infection in its country and continues to strengthen control and prevention infection from abroad. Facing the increasing trend of Vietnam's epidemic, the Chinese government responded to the actual situation at the border gates. The Chinese side will apply close inspection and supervision measures for all drivers and vehicles, ensuring strict compliance with regulations such as measuring body temperature, wearing protective gear and medical mask and daily checking health as well as other management and control measures.

Therefore, import-export activities, exchange and delivery of goods across border gates in Lang Son province will face many difficulties in the near future, and clearance capacity will be reduced. The volume of goods vehicles continues to increase, thereby, vehicles and goods are expected to be seriously congested at the border gate area.

Hoi said that the Chinese authorities informed Vietnamese competent authorities at Lang Son Border Gate that China does not permit drivers who transport export goods from localities including Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Quang Ninh, Da Nang and Binh Thuan to enter China for delivery and receiving goods. China said that these are localities that have recently recorded many new and complex cases of coronavirus.

Facing this situation, to ensure facilitation of import-export activities and prevent damage to traders, businesses and people, Lang Son Industry and Trade Department notified associations and industries to tell businesses, exporters of agricultural product to regularly stay updated on information and import-export status at border gates in Lang Son to take the initiative in harvesting, trading goods, and transporting goods to the border gates for export in an appropriate manner to minimise damage.

The number of vehicles congested at Huu Nghi Border Gate is 300. Photo: T.H

Enterprises should transfer from the cross-border trade into official export to prevent from risks and plan for the consumption of agricultural goods in the domestic market. At the same time, it is necessary to take the initiative in researching, studying and updating requirements of export market such as paying attention to implementation of export transactions according to international practices, through foreign trade contracts, complying with regulations on labels, traceability of goods origin, instructions for planting area, testing, quarantine, packing specifications, quality and categories.

Amid the Covid -19 pandemic, enterprises and traders should regularly monitor and exchange formation with authorities of Lang Son province to update import-export status at border gates to take initiative in implementing plans effectively, minimising the backlog of goods and economic losses.

Previously, to avoid risk of infection, the People's Committee of Lang Son province set up a professional driving team in charge of transporting goods from Vietnam to China. When entering China, all drivers must wear protective clothing and when returning to Vietnam the protective clothing will be destroyed.

According to statistics from Lang Son Customs Department, by the end of March 31, border-gate customs units carried out procedures for 35,786 vehicles carrying import and export goods, equivalent to more than 850,000 tonnes of goods with total estimated import-export turnover in the first quarter of more than US$1.1 billion. In particular, Lang Son Customs conducted customs clearance for 18,197 vehicles carrying export goods and 17,800 cargo vehicles carrying import goods that mainly are electronic components, machinery, garments and consumer goods.

Accordingly, at Huu Nghi International Border Gate, Huu Nghi Border Gate Customs Branch cleared 24,793 goods vehicles. At Tan Thanh Border Gate, Tan Thanh Customs Branch cleared 6,109 goods vehicles. At Coc Nam Border Gate, Coc Nam Customs Branch cleared 2,277 goods vehicles; Chi Ma border gate Customs Branch also cleared 1,728 vehicles.