Proposal to restore sub-border gates in Lang Son province

According to Mr Hoang Khanh Duy, Deputy Director of Dong Dang - Lang Son Economic Zone Authority, currently, cargo clearance activities in the area are being carried out at five border gates, including Huu Nghi international border gate, Dong Dang international intermodal railway station, Chi Ma bilateral border gate, Tan Thanh sub-border gate and Coc Nam border gate. On average, import-export goods through these border gates reach about 1,000 to 1,200 vehicles per day, of which 75% of export goods are fruits and agricultural products.

Statistics showed that, on February 7, there were a total of 800 trucks of goods cleared through the border gates of this province, of which the number of export vehicles was 368 trucks which mainly transported fruits and imported goods, was 432 trucks.

To promote the cargo clearance capacity between the two sides, the People's Committee of Lang Son province discussed with the Chinese side to prepare for the meeting between the leader of the People's Committee of Lang Son province and the leader of Pingxiang city (China).

Tan Thanh Customs officer instructs driver to make a declaration about vehicle transporting exported goods through border gate. Photo: H.Nụ

In the immediate future, the proposal content of Lang Son is loosening Covid-19 pandemic control measures to facilitate drivers to transport goods to China's terminals. Next is the resumption of clearance activities at Lang Son's sub-border gates, which have been stopped for three years. Finally, jointly planning on a communication plan for the two countries' enterprises to promote cargo clearance capacity at Lang Son border gates.

"If the Chinese side accepts the above proposals of Lang Son side, the capacity of cargo clearance through border gates shortly will increase significantly," Mr Hoang Khanh Duy expected.

According to Duy, although China has opened the border, due to the time after the Lunar New Year, the demand for goods exchange between the two sides is not much, so the number of vehicles carrying out clearance activities also decreases. Currently, at Lang Son border gates, most trucks are cleared within the same day, and only a few late arrivals have to wait until the next day.

Mr Phung Van Ba, Deputy Director of Tan Thanh Customs Branch (Lang Son Customs Department), said that Tan Thanh is the border gate enterprise that mainly chooses to export agricultural products. Currently, from 200 to 250 trucks are exported across the border every day; exports are mainly agricultural products, including watermelon, mango, and jackfruit. To ensure clearance activities of import and export goods take place smoothly, the unit has proactively arranged for customs officers to perform duty and work overtime.

Commenting on the advantages of importing and exporting goods after China opened the border, Mr Phung Van Ba said that the transport costs of enterprises were significantly reduced because they no longer had to change their vehicle and the associated service costs. Hence, the number of goods in the coming time may increase sharply.

To ensure smooth cargo clearance, Lang Son province recommended and requested truck drivers and their companions to take the initiative in preparing the documents as prescribed for implementing import-export and immigration procedures, strictly complying with the regulations on Covid-19 pandemic prevention and control of competent authorities of the two countries. At the same time, owners of goods, enterprises and drivers need to be proactive in declaring information on the Digital Border Gate Platform before entering the border gate area.