Total Force against Gasoline, Medical Supplies Smuggling

The General Department of Vietnam Customs recently requested its subordinate professional and local agencies to strengthen the fight against the smuggling of petroleum products, biological products, medical supplies, and equipment against the Covid-19 pandemic.

Implementing directions of the Steering Committee 389 of the Ministry of Finance in Official Document No. 36/BTC-BCD389 dated May 5, 2022 on strengthening the fight against petroleum smuggling and Official Document No. 32/BTC-BCD389 dated April 22 2022 on intensifying the fight against smuggling, commercial fraudulence and counterfeiting of biological products, medical supplies and equipment to prevent and control the Covid-19 pandemic, the General Department of Vietnam Customs recently issued Official Dispatch 1604/TCHQ-DTCBL, requiring Anti-smuggling and Investigation Department, Customs Post-Clearance Inspection Department and Inspectorate to perform their tasks.

These customs agencies will thoroughly follow the directives of the Permanent Deputy Prime Minister, Head of the National Steering Committee 389 and the Steering Committee 389 of the Ministry of Finance in the above documents.

Local customs departments and the Anti-smuggling and Investigation Department will direct their subordinated professional units to strengthen inspection, examination, investigation, detection and prevention of law violations in business, export, import, temporary import for re-export and transit of petroleum products and biological products, medical supplies and equipment for Covid-19 pandemic containment.

Specifically, they will work out action plans to grasp actual situations, synchronously use professional measures, conduct a basic investigation and develop working plans against the smuggling of petroleum products, biological products, medical supplies and equipment for Covid-19 pandemic containment on all routes, especially at border gates on land, by sea and at sea.

They will step up information collection, update prices of gasoline and medical supplies in order to support timely and correct customs clearance of goods, fight commercial fraud, and prevent tax loss.

They will work closely together on the smuggling of petroleum products, biological products, medical supplies and equipment for COVID-19 pandemic containment with anti-smuggling forces such as Border Guard, Police, Coast Guard, Market Watchdog and local authorities.

They will coordinate with press agencies and media to inform and encourage people to actively participate in denouncing crimes when seeing signs of smuggling gasoline, biological products, medical supplies and equipment for Covid-19 prevention and control.

The Customs Post-Clearance Inspection Department and the Inspectorate will intensify inspection and examination of importers of petroleum products and importers of biological products, medical supplies and medical equipment for Covid-19 containment exposed to high risks and signs of law violations.

By Le Hien, Vietnam Business Forum