Customs takes initiative in preventing pandemic and facilitating customs clearance

The prompt compliance with the direction of the Government and the Ministry of Finance’s leaders related to the prevention and control of the Covid-19 pandemic is the key operation of the Customs sector in March, which was released to the press by the General Department of Vietnam Customs on March 30.    

Promptly direct situation on medical masks

According to the General Department of Vietnam Customs, to create favourable conditions and remove difficulties for enterprises affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, and comply with the Prime Minister’s Directive 11/CT-TTg, the department will not conduct periodic inspection in 2020 for businesses with no signs of violations and it will prevent the abusing of this policy to violate the law.

In addition, the General Department of Vietnam Customs issued a number of official letters requesting municipal and provincial customs departments to implement solutions to enhance the prevention and control of Covid-19 pandemic, promoting import and export activities.

Directing municipal and provincial customs departments to grasp revenue sources, especially the export and import with the EU, China, Japan and South Korea; follow import and export activities of enterprises in the management area, the export of agricultural products and import of raw materials, supplies, machinery and equipment to promptly report for State budget management.

Implementing Government Resolution No. 20/ NQ-CP on applying the export licensing regime on medical masks in the COVID-19 prevention and control period, the General Department of Vietnam Customs issued Official letter No.1431/TCHQ-GSQL requesting municipal and provincial customs departments deploy several specific solutions. In which, focusing on checking the application of the export licensing regime for medical masks and conducting physical inspection for export goods shipments declared as masks but failing to use in medicine.

Strengthen inspection, control and handling for smuggling or illegal transportation of medical masks across borders.

The sector has also strengthened facilitation and quick customs clearance for goods, machinery, medical equipment, preparations, disinfectant solutions, pharmaceuticals and support tools imported for Covid-19 prevention and treatment.

On March 11, the Ministry of Health issued Decision No.868/QD-BYT on the issuance of export permits for medical masks amid the COVID-19 prevention and control period, the General Department of Vietnam Customs has promptly notified units.

Following the direction of Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam at the Government’s regular meeting on March 11 on management for the provision of masks on Vietnam Airlines' exit aircraft to serve passengers with the quantity  of three-fold of passengers per flight, on March 12, the General Department of Vietnam Customs issued Official Letter 1525 / TCHQ-GSQL directing provincial and municipal customs departments managing international airport customs branches to supervise Vietnamese airlines' supply of masks on their aircraft, ensuring tightness, convenience and speed.

The Customs sector also continues to coordinate with units to develop solutions to facilitate trade and remove difficulties to respond to the Covid-19 pandemic, consults the import of non-woven fabrics as raw materials for the production of anti-epidemic uniforms for prevention of Covid-19 by the Danameco Medical Corporation.

Facilitate Vietnamese people to return home

In March, due to many flights carrying Vietnamese people from abroad entering, including many people from epidemic-hit areas, Customs cooperated closely with competent forces at the airport to supervise and control luggage of passengers and implement solutions to prevent and control the pandemic.

To ensure supervision and management of luggage of passengers on entry, on March 18, the General Department of Vietnam issued Official Letter No.1723/ TCHQ-GSQL guiding provincial and municipal customs departments to carry out procedures for passengers.

Regarding pandemic prevention and control, the General Department of Vietnam Customs directs provincial and municipal customs departments to strictly comply with the Government, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Finance and the General Department of Vietnam Customs is strengthening prevention and control Covid-19.

At the same time, continue to provide equipment and means (including medical masks, gloves, antiseptic water)  for officers and employees to ensure safety during work performance.

For the management of import and export goods at land border areas, the General Department of Vietnam Customs has directed local customs departments to understand the situation, causes and take appropriate management measures to facilitate and quickly carry out customs clearance of goods.

Source: Custom News