HCMC – Some 40 rice traders successfully registered to export 400,000 tons of rice in April, according to the General Department of Vietnam Customs.
Intimex Group registered for the largest volume, at over 96,200 tons, followed by Vinafood2 with 38,350 tons, Kigimex with 35,700 tons, Thanh Tin Food with nearly 25,400 tons and Kien Giang Trading JSC with over 24,400 tons.
Companies that registered to export 11,000-17,000 tons of rice from the 400,000-ton quota were Gia International Corporation; Tan Thanh An Co., Ltd; Hiep Loi JSC; Phat Tai Co., Ltd; and My Truong JSC.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on April 10 approved the resumption of rice exports after a short suspension, permitting a volume of 400,000 tons of rice to be exported this month. Following this decision, the Ministry of Industry and Trade noted on same day that it would open the online customs system for rice export registration on April 11.
Many rice exporters complained that they could not register for rice exports because the Vietnam Automated Customs Clearance System was opened at midnight on April 11, and by early April 12, the system showed that all 400,000 tons of rice from the quota had been assigned.
In a press release issued on April 13, the General Department of Vietnam Customs claimed that the online customs system for April’s rice export registration worked automatically and was not touched by customs officials, in response to allegations of bureaucracy interference made by many rice traders.
However, talking to Tien Phong newspaper, some rice exporters said they were not informed by the General Department of Vietnam Customs or any other relevant agencies that the Vietnam Automated Customs Clearance System would be opened at midnight on April 12.
Pham Thai Binh, director of Trung An Hi-Tech Farming JSC, pointed out that many rice exporters are facing serious difficulties as they were unable to register for rice exports while their rice inventories remain stockpiled at ports. The General Department of Vietnam Customs should prioritize some 250,000 tons of rice that are still stuck at ports due to the rice export suspension from March 24 to April 10.
