Import and export increase sharply; Customs handles more than 11,900 violations

(Chinhphu.vn) - August 2025 recorded positive results with increased exports, decreased imports, and a surplus of more than 3.7 billion USD. However, efforts to combat smuggling and trade fraud still face difficulties as many tricks are increasingly sophisticated.

Bo Y International Border Gate is one of the busiest border gates in the Central Highlands region - Photo: VGP/HT

Import and export in 8 months exceeds 597 billion USD

According to data just released by the Customs Department, in August 2025, the total value of import and export goods reached 83.06 billion USD, up 0.9% over the previous month, equivalent to an increase of 769 million USD. Of which, exports reached 43.39 billion USD, up 2.6% (equivalent to an increase of 1.1 billion USD) over July 2025.

On the other hand, imports reached 39.67 billion USD, down 0.8% (equivalent to a decrease of 329 million USD). Thus, the trade balance of goods in August 2025 had a surplus of 3.72 billion USD.

In the first 8 months of 2025, the total import-export value reached 597.93 billion USD , an increase of 16.3% over the same period in 2024, equivalent to an increase of 83.89 billion USD. Of which, exports reached 305.96 billion USD, an increase of 14.8% (equivalent to an increase of 39.53 billion USD). Imports reached 291.97 billion USD, an increase of 17.9% (equivalent to an increase of 44.36 billion USD).

Although the trade balance in the first 8 months had a surplus of 13.99 billion USD, this level decreased by 25.7% compared to the surplus of 18.83 billion USD in the same period in 2024. This is a point to note in the trade picture, when import and export growth is strong but the surplus tends to decrease.

Regarding budget revenue, in August 2025, revenue from import-export activities reached VND 35,501 billion, down 10.2% compared to July, equivalent to a decrease of VND 4,040 billion. In the first 8 months of the year, revenue reached VND 298,301 billion, equal to 72.6% of the estimate and up 8.4% (equivalent to an increase of VND 23,115 billion) over the same period last year.

Meanwhile, the situation of smuggling, trade fraud and illegal transportation of goods across the border in August 2025 remained complicated.

The sea route accounted for the highest proportion with 823/1,561 cases, equivalent to 52.7% of the total number of cases. Goods were mainly concentrated at ports such as Van Gia, Dinh Vu, Nam Hai Dinh Vu, Tan Vu, VIP Green, Cat Lai, ICD Phuoc Long, Hiep Phuoc, Vict, Cai Mep... The prominent violations were related to conditions, standards, import regulations and product labels.

Road routes detected 531/1,561 cases, accounting for 34%. The Vietnam-China and Vietnam-Cambodia borders are hot spots, where subjects take advantage of preferential policies for border residents to smuggle prohibited goods, foreign currency, cigarettes, mobile phones, frozen foods, N2O gas cylinders, etc.

The aviation route recorded 80/1,561 cases, accounting for 5.12%, with the value of infringing goods of about 81.2 billion VND. Compared to the same period in 2024, the number of cases decreased by 33.3% and the value of infringing goods decreased by 73.1%. Infringing goods were concentrated at Noi Bai, Tan Son Nhat, and Da Nang international airports. Common tricks include taking advantage of the type of consignment of goods, non-commercial, using fake names, unknown addresses, and hiring someone to receive them to avoid tracing.

In addition, 127 cases were detected and handled on railways, waterways, postal routes, etc.

More than 11,900 violations, drugs are the focus of the fight

From July 15 to August 14, 2025, the Customs authority detected, arrested and handled 1,561 cases, a decrease of 174 cases (equivalent to 10.2%) compared to the same period last year. The value of infringing goods is estimated at VND 1,055 billion, the budget revenue reached VND 31.24 billion. Of which, the Customs authority prosecuted 4 cases, transferred 8 cases to other agencies for prosecution, a decrease of 33.33% compared to the same period.

Accumulated from December 15, 2024 to August 14, 2025, the Customs authority discovered and handled 11,912 cases, the value of infringing goods was about 16,151 billion VND. The budget revenue reached about 569.12 billion VND, with 14 cases prosecuted and 76 cases transferred to other agencies for prosecution.

Regarding anti-drug work, from July 15 to August 14, 2025, the Customs force presided over and coordinated with the Police and Border Guard to detect 12 cases/19 subjects, with evidence including 158 kg of various drugs (3.16 kg of heroin, 2.05 kg of ketamine, 46.9 kg of synthetic drugs, 106 kg of other drugs).

From December 15, 2024 to August 14, 2025, the Customs Department detected 137 cases/172 subjects, seized 2,263 kg of various drugs, including 38.5 kg of heroin, 1,502 kg of ketamine, 356 kg and 1,903 synthetic drug pills, in addition to opium, marijuana, cocaine and many other exhibits.

Thus, although import-export turnover and budget revenue have many positive signals, smuggling, trade fraud and especially drugs are still big challenges, requiring authorities to continue to strengthen strict control.

Mr. Minh

Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/xuat-nhap-khau-tang-manh-hai-quan-xu-ly-hon-11900-vu-vi-pham-1022509061504346.htm