VINACHEM

State budget collection from import and export activities surged 14.5% year-on-year to nearly VND346.3 trillion (US$13.7 million) in the first 10 months of 2024, reaching 92.3% of the annual target, the General Department of Vietnam Customs reported on November 7.

Accordingly, the total import and export value during this period hit nearly US$648 billion, up 15.8% year-on-year.

While the overall trend is positive, the department highlighted increasing concerns over illegal cross-border activities, particularly on air routes. The smuggling of goods, currency, and gold has seen a rise, along with the illicit trade of fireworks and white sugar in central provinces and along the Vietnam-Laos border.

The situation remains complex in border areas with China and Cambodia, where goods are frequently traded without proper documentation, especially food, cigarettes, and tobacco leaves.

Over the past ten months, the customs sector has intensified its efforts, detecting and handling 14,724 cases of customs law violations, with an estimated value of infringing goods reaching VND26.286 billion.

The authorities have prosecuted 24 cases and transferred 141 cases to other agencies for further investigation. Additionally, VND745.68 billion has been collected and paid into the state budget.  – VOV –