Thousands of containers are stuck at Mong Cai Border Gate in the past six months, awaiting Chinese customs clearance permission.
Thousands of containers stuck at Mong Cai Border Gate
Guangxi Province authorities said the imports were mainly Vietnamese temporarily-imported goods for re-export were mostly frozen products that had been illegally transported. Meanwhile, other products such as wood, seafood and rubber have continued to get the nod from Chinese customs.
Currently, more than 1,000 containers remained lined up at customs clearance stations and border gate depots, causing difficulties for around 100 firms because they have spent millions of VND on preservation costs and depots fees.
Employment has halved at the border gate compared to the 7,000 people working there prior to March this year.
According to the management board of Mong Cai Border Gate, by early August, total import-export value via Mong Cai border gate was estimated at USD2.78 million, down nearly 14% compared to the same period of last year. Export value saw a fall of 50.4% and imports 8%. Goods which are temporarily imported for export also dropped 7.04% and this downtrend has continued.
Chairman of the Mong Cai City People’s Committee, Duong Van Co, said “Goods transported via Mong Cai Border Gate to Guangxi Province now account for just 10% against March 2012.”
He also said that since March, Guangzi authorities had tightened control over smuggling in the area adjacent to Mong Cai, adding that, “According to information we’ve received from some Chinese companies, the Vietnamese temporarily-imported goods for re-export were illegally transported, therefore, they have been stockpiled at Mong Cai Border Gate.”
No one can know when the goods will receive Chinese customs clearance. The local People’s Committee has asked authorities to arrange depots and power for the containers, Co said.
The same situation is repeated at northern Lang Son Province's Tan Thanh Border Gate. Meanwhile, at the province's Chi Ma Border Gate, few goods for temporary import and re-export are able to cross the border.
