Reasons for sharp decrease in customs clearance at Cau Treo Border Gate

Mr. Nguyen Xuan Minh - Deputy Head of Cau Treo International Border Gate Customs Branch - said that from the beginning of August 2023 until now, the volume of goods and vehicles cleared through Cau Treo International Border Gate has decreased sharply compared to the same period in 2022.

According to statistics from the Cau Treo International Border Gate Customs Branch, from August to December 2023, the unit opened 1,686 customs declarations (down 12% compared to the same period in 2022) with a total import-export turnover of more than 60 million USD (down 32.6% compared to the same period in 2022).

Thereby, Cau Treo International Border Gate Customs Branch collected more than 26.6 billion VND in budget revenue (down 79% compared to the same period in 2022).

The cause, according to Mr. Minh, was due to prolonged heavy rain causing a severe landslide at Dat Pass on National Highway 8 in Bolikhamxay province (Laos) from August 2023 until now, which has not been completely resolved.

Landslide at Dat Pass in Laos in August 2023 damaged vehicles passing through. Photo: Tuan Song. — Landslide at Dat Pass in Laos in August 2023 damaged vehicles passing through. Photo: Tuan Song

Meanwhile, it is the only vital road from Cau Treo Border Gate to Laos and about 80km from Cau Treo International Border Gate, heading towards the inland of Laos.

On the Vietnamese side, National Highway 8 near Cau Treo border gate is currently under construction and repair under an upgrade and expansion project, affecting traffic.

In particular, National Highway 8 through Son Kim 1 commune, Huong Son district, often experiences landslides every time there is prolonged heavy rain, causing traffic disruption.

Landslide on National Highway 8 through Son Kim 1 Commune, Huong Son District, Ha Tinh Province on January 26. Photo: Border Guard. — Landslide on National Highway 8 through Son Kim 1 commune, Huong Son district, Ha Tinh province on January 26. Photo: Tuan Song

“Currently, on average, there are about 500 vehicles clearing customs at Cau Treo border gate every day. However, large trucks carrying taxable goods mainly go through Cha Lo border gate in Quang Binh because the road there is easier to travel,” Mr. Minh shared.

Also according to the representative of Cau Treo Border Gate Customs Branch, due to the rapidly increasing inflation rate in Laos, the Kip exchange rate has depreciated compared to the US dollar and VND, causing export activities to Laos to decrease compared to the same period last year.

In addition, some policies of Laos affect the number of vehicles leaving the country and exported goods. Nam Phao International Border Gate (Laos) has increased inspection and prevented Vietnamese vehicles from entering the country through Nam Phao International Border Gate to pick up goods and circulate goods outside the prescribed areas according to the announcement of the Chairman of Bolikhamxay Province.

Laos's tightening of transportation affects the number of vehicles leaving the country and exported goods.

Mr. Nguyen Xuan Minh - Deputy Head of the Cau Treo International Border Gate Customs Branch also informed that currently many items including ores and agricultural products from Laos are exported to China, which has reduced the amount of goods exported to Vietnam through Cau Treo border gate.

Vehicles returning from Laos to Cau Treo border gate have decreased compared to before due to many reasons. Photo: Tran Tuan.

Faced with these difficulties, the Cau Treo Border Gate Customs Branch proposed that Vietnamese authorities coordinate and support Laos in repairing and clearing National Highway 8 in the Dat Pass area to facilitate traffic again.

Speed up the construction of a parking lot and a cargo inspection and supervision area at Cau Treo International Border Gate. Quickly complete the project to upgrade National Highway 8 to facilitate the flow of import and export goods.

The Cau Treo border gate customs force also promotes customs reform and modernization, reviews and simplifies administrative procedures. Resolutely combats manifestations and behaviors that cause trouble, harassment, and negativity to attract transportation businesses to transport goods through the Cau Treo border gate.

Source