How is the scanner valued $US 200,000 at Noi Bai used?

Customs officials of Noi Bai International Airport Customs Branch are operating the scanner. Photo: N.Linh

In the framework of the Exporting Control Program, the US Government financed the General Department of Vietnam Customs with 1 scanner in order to enhance the supervision capacity of import – export goods.

The scanner system valued at $US 200,000 has been officially handed over to the General Department of Vietnam Customs and has been received and operated by Hanoi Customs Department at the warehouse area of Noi Bai International Airport on 24/9.

Noi Bai International Airport Customs Branch – Hanoi Customs Department is the unit which was assigned to manage and operate the scanner directly by General Department of Vietnam Customs. Deputy Director of Hanoi Customs Department Tran Quoc Dinh said that, the scanner system could scan from above to bottom and horizontally as well as allow customs officials to identify the detail of items inside packages and realize prohibited goods such as, narcotics and goods infringing copyright, without having to open the goods.

The superiority of the new scanners system is the ability to scan oversize merchandise (large bale).

Sharing about the operating principle of the scanner, Mr. Dinh said that in parallel with the handover of the scanner, the US also supported the training course on camera analysis to ensure detection of prohibited goods and dangerous items.

Regarding to the selection for scanning goods, Mr. Dinh said, "Not all goods must be gone through the scanner, it would slow down the clearance process. The critical factor was based on the analysis of information before goods arrival."

Hanoi Customs has established a system to receive information before goods arrival (e-manifest). Accordingly, the flights have to provide information (e-manifest) before arriving at Noi Bai International Airport by at least 3 hours (long-haul flight) and half an hour (short-haul flight).

The Risk Management Division (Hanoi Customs Department) will analyze to identify potentially dangerous goods to request warehouse for screening, which is directly connected between customs authorities and warehouses. If there is no problem then the goods are cleared immediately.

In addition, in order to ensure the proper operation of the scanner, the customs authorities will have regulations on the operation and maintenance so that the modern equipment system is used most effectively and ensure the customs management, as well as facilitate the import and export activities of the enterprises.