HANOI – China has announced that it would stop allowing foreign drivers, including Vietnamese container truck drivers, to enter its territory from December 24 due to concerns over the Covid-19 pandemic, worsening the backlog of goods at the northern border gates.
According to the Vietnam Logistics Business Association, Vietnamese enterprises received the information on December 23 at the Huu Nghi Border Gate.
At present, Vietnam has yet to allow Chinese drivers to enter the country to transport goods.
The Zero Covid policy of China has upended import-export activities between China and its neighbors, including Vietnam.
Enterprises have proposed separating border gates for agricultural and industrial products, increasing the customs clearance time at the border gates to 24 hours a day and seeking ways to clear the backlog there. In addition, China should increase the number of drivers transporting goods from the border areas.
However, these proposals have yet to be considered, while regulations have become more stringent.
