The Tan Thanh - Po Chai border gate in the northern province of Lang Son resumed customs clearance on April 30 thanks to joint efforts from Vietnam and China to maintain trade amid the COVID-19 outbreak.

Customs clearance is now available daily from 8am to 11am and 12pm to 4pm (Vietnam time). As from May 1, customs clearance is also conducted on holidays and weekends.

On April 17, during phone talks with Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh, Director of China’s General Administration of Customs Ni Yuefeng decided to resume customs clearance at the border gate to reduce goods congestion in local border areas.

The Ministry then coordinated closely with the Vietnamese Embassy in China, the Vietnamese Consulate General in Nanning city in Guangxi province, and the Chinese Embassy in Vietnam to ensure Guangxi sped up the resumption, which therefore came earlier than the initial plan of May 6.

China had earlier intensified its disease prevention and control measures at land border gates, including those with Vietnam, which seriously affected customs clearance and the exchange of goods between the two countries.

The Chinese side’s decision to resume customs clearance at the Tan Thanh - Po Chai border gate is a positive sign for Vietnamese enterprises, but they are advised to keep a close watch on the situation and remain updated on relevant information to have a suitable goods regulation plan to avoid any congestion and losses