GDVC’s leaders have a courtesy meeting with CITES Secretary General

	Implementation of CITES in the field of customs - Many difficulties need to be solved
	Vietnam Customs detects violations of the CITES Convention

The courtesy meeting. Photo: T.B

At the meeting, Deputy Director Luu Manh Tuong said the prevention and control of goods across border gates, including endangered wild animals and plants in the list of CITES, is a crucial task of Vietnam Customs.

Vietnam Customs has made a great effort to detect and seize many cases of smuggling and illegal transportation of products under the list of CITES, such as precious wood, pangolin scales, ivory, and rhino horn.

In addition, Vietnam Customs has also been active and proactive in international cooperation in preventing and combating crimes related to wild animals and plants.

Director of the Anti-Smuggling and Investigation Department Nguyen Hung Anh said about experiences, difficulties and obstacles in arresting and handling infringing products under the list of CITES.

Ms Ivonne Higuero highly appreciated the results of Vietnam Customs, thereby preventing trafficking and illegal transportation of endangered animals, plants and wildlife products.

Customs seized pangolin scales in 2019. Photo: T.B

CITES Secretary-General hoped that Vietnam Customs would continue to strengthen and effectively implement measures to fight against smuggling, including goods under the list of CITES Convention.

At the meeting, the representative of Vietnam Customs discussed the process of management and supervision of import, export and re-export of wild plants and animals in Vietnam, focusing on samples of ivory and scales, pangolin, rhino horn and wood; said the results in the control of trade in wildlife specimens and proposed contents that need support from the CITES Secretariat.