Sharing solutions to resolve congestion at border gates, the Ministry of Industry and Trade said that it had just had a working session with the Commercial Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Vietnam, emphasizing the important priority of the Ministry of Industry and Trade in maintaining and ensuring the supply chain, especially facilitating customs clearance of agricultural products and fruits during the peak harvest season in June and July. At the same time, it proposed that the Chinese side coordinate to improve customs clearance efficiency at border gates, establish a green lane with priority for customs clearance for fruits, and guide businesses of the two countries to diversify border gates for receiving and delivering import and export goods.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade directed the Vietnam Trade Office Branch in Nanning and Guangxi to strengthen connections and urge the Chinese border authorities to immediately divert fruit (durian) to customs clearance at Tan Thanh-Po Chai border gate to reduce pressure on Huu Nghi border gate; coordinate propaganda to enterprises of the two countries to proactively divert export goods (especially agricultural products and fruits) through other border gates that are eligible to import Chinese fruits adjacent to Cao Bang, Quang Ninh, Ha Giang and Lao Cai provinces. In particular, continue to reduce customs clearance time for each agricultural product vehicle, extend customs clearance time at Huu Nghi Quan border gate on the Chinese side to 21 hours.

Durian quality inspection activities at Chanh Thu Fruit Import-Export Corporation. Photo: THU VY

For domestic goods, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has sent a document to the Department of Industry and Trade of provinces and cities and business associations exporting goods to the Chinese market. Accordingly, the Ministry of Industry and Trade requested units to proactively grasp information on customs clearance status, discuss with partners to extend delivery progress, regulate the delivery of goods to border gates and promote customs clearance to border gates that China allows to import fruit. The Ministry of Industry and Trade also directed relevant units to facilitate the issuance of certificates of origin (C/O) for enterprises changing export border gates.

With the proactive participation of the Ministry of Industry and Trade and departments, branches and localities, the situation of goods congestion at the northern border gates has improved a lot. According to preliminary information from the Management Board of Dong Dang Border Gate Economic Zone, Lang Son province, the number of vehicles waiting at Huu Nghi border gate as of May 31 has decreased to 479 vehicles compared to the previous peak days (on May 28, there were 709 vehicles) although the number of vehicles transporting export goods continues to pour into this area. The number of durian vehicles clearing customs through the Tan Thanh-Po Chai border gate area has also increased.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade continues to recommend that domestic production and export enterprises proactively monitor and grasp the customs clearance situation at border gates, especially those in Lang Son province in the coming time. In particular, to reduce customs clearance time, it is necessary to focus on meeting Chinese regulations on testing, quarantine, quality supervision and business registration; urgently discuss with Chinese import partners to redirect customs clearance through other border gates that are qualified to import Chinese fruits adjacent to Cao Bang province (Ta Lung and Tra Linh border gates), Quang Ninh (Mong Cai border gate), Ha Giang (Thanh Thuy border gate) and Lao Cai (Kim Thanh border gate).

MINH DUC