Export-import procedures pile up at ports
By Hong Van - The Saigon Times Daily
HCMC – Ports in HCMC have seen an overload of export and import procedures as enterprises have pushed up exports since early last month and with the traditional Lunar New Year, or Tet, nearing.
Customs officers at the ports have dealt with huge amounts of paperwork, including certificates of origin (C/O), while cargo has piled up quickly. “Enterprises have to queue up and wait for C/O procedures at the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry due to overloads,” said an officer of VCCI.
The C/O division of the HCMC Office of the Ministry of Industry and Trade has also been busy. The unit takes charge of products with preferential tariffs in importing countries.
Local enterprises said their export business had improved due to the world economic recovery. Meanwhile, they have to prepare papers to arrange transport schedules during Tet when Government agencies will be off work.
In January, the nation reached US$4.8 billion in export value, up by 28% year-on-year. Seafood, footwear, rice and woodwork made major contributions to the revenue last month.