Hai Phong Customs actively prevents pandemic and ensures cargo clearance

On the occasion of Tet holiday 2021 (from February 10 to 16), Hai Phong Customs Department processed import and export procedures for 120 firms with 899 declarations. In particular, exports hit 630 declarations, the total turnover was more than $110 million; imports was 266 declarations, with a turnover of nearly $47.5 million.

Customs branch in the centre of epidemic

Among nine customs branches under the Hai Phong Customs Department, Hai Duong Customs Branch was the front line unit in this new wave of Covid-19 pandemic prevention when the management area detected case of infection early and the disease situation was very complex.

The manager of Hai Duong Customs Branch Vu Quoc Duong said that after there was a case of Covid-19 infection in the community in Hai Duong, on the morning of January 28, the Customs branch activated plans of pandemic prevention and control, associated with the plan to ensure the facilitation of import and export activities.

Regarding customs officials, the branch thoroughly implemented the 5K message (Masks - Disinfection - Distance - Not concentration - Medical declaration), requesting customs officials not to participate in parties or events gathering a lot of people and at the same time, disseminate to relatives for implementation. Regarding the import-export staff, the branch has arranged person to receive the dossier (if required to submit paper documents), measured body temperature, recorded history go in/out of the Customs branch.

When the pandemic situation in the area showed signs of complications, from February 3, the Customs branch arranged 100% of customs officials to stay to work and live at the headquarters. Facing the complex situation of the Covid-19 pandemic, the leaders of the Customs branch reported to the department's leaders and got approval for the plan. At the same time, 100% of customs officials and employees agreed, supported and actively implemented. This plan would help to ensure pandemic prevention and control; ensure facilitating cargo clearance. This was a practical action of Hai Duong Customs in joining hands with local authorities and people to strictly comply with the guidelines and directions on Covid-19 pandemic prevention," said Duong.

Regarding the plan to support the business community, the Hai Duong Customs Branch has strengthened online working through phone, email and social networks. Notably, on the Zalo group " Hai Duong import and export Association” (as of February 22, there are 600 members) who are employees of import-export activities of enterprises in the area, the participation of customs officials and employees of Customs has been very active. Information in the process of implementing customs procedures is promptly shared; problems arising are also enthusiastically instructed by customs officials for the smooth clearance of goods. In addition, information about tge pandemic and support for people facing difficulties in the area are also constantly updated to create confidence for customs officials and business communities to be firm with their thoughts and confidence in task performance.

“Thanks to positive measures, the cargo clearance at the Customs Branch has taken place smoothly with an average of about 1,000 declarations per working day and was highly recognised by the business community. The unit's declaration was mainly related to the type of outsourcing, production for export,” Duong added.