Smuggling cases down in number, up in value in 2017

As of December 15, customs officers discovered 15,184 violation cases, down 1.97 percent annually. However, the value of smuggled goods was over VND789 billion (US$35 million), up 89.58 percent year-on-year and VND334.8 billion (US$14.88 million) of which was added to the State budget, marking a 95 percent surge from 2016. 

In border gates, smuggled goods are mostly foreign currencies, counterfeit money, alcoholic beverages and beer, cigarettes, sugar, poultry, food, apparel, footwear, mobile phones, and kid toys. Meanwhile, petroleum, wood, minerals, wildlife, second-hand electronic and refrigeration appliances were smuggled via international seaports. 

Banned goods of high value such as addictive substances, weapons, gold, wildlife products, cigarettes, cosmetics, functional food were found via air and postal transportation services.

The customs sector launched criminal proceedings against 51 cases and transferred 68 others to other units for prosecution. 

In order to improve the efficiency of the fight against smuggling and trade fraud, the sector will continue closely following the directions of the Party and State, the National Steering Committee 389, the Anti-Crime Steering Committee 138, the Finance Ministry to build plans for the effort. 

It will also use modern technology to combat manufacturing, trafficking and trade in banned and counterfeit goods, as well as trade fraud. 

Further attention will also be paid to expanding ties with border-sharing countries and personnel training.