Hanoi (VNA) – The customs authority of Vietnam has been proactivelyfighting fraud of origin and illegal trans-shipment, GeneralDirector of the General Department ofVietnam Customs(GDVC) Nguyen Van Can said on November 1.

In a working session with representatives from the US Agency for International Development (USAID) in Hanoi, Can also saidthe two sides have shared information and conducted joint investigations againstthose that violate laws of the US.

The sector has conducted investigations for six specific cases related to goodsexported to the US with Vietnamese origin, and proved that these goods are noteligible to be labeled made-in-Vietnam.

Vietnam’s customs agencies will continue to work with the US side’s agencies toinvestigate and solve similar cases. They have also paid attention tomodernizing customs processing, with 99 percent of customs declaration being processedthrough e-customs declaration systems, he said.

With the support from the USAID, in the coming time, bilateral trade betweenVietnam and the US will be promoted to ensure community safety and security, Cansaid.

Vietnam Customs has received information from the US Customs on completing proceduresfor signing a cooperation deal between the two countries’ customs agencies, headded.

According to Can, the agreement will include contents related to mutualtechnical assistance and information sharing to enforce the law of each side,thus promoting trade development, ensuring safety and security for thecommunity, and fighting terrorism, smuggling and trade fraud.

Addressing the event, USAID Deputy Administrator Bonnie Glick said illegal trans-shipment is ahot issue in the trade ties between Vietnam and the US, adding that thecooperation between the two countries in dealing with the issue also representsthe commitment of the two governments.

The USAID highly values the cooperation with the Ministry of Finance and the GDVC, she stressed.

The USAID pledges to cooperate with all agencies in Vietnam to raisingpublic awareness of preventing illegal trans-shipment,and in training and developing stronger regulatory frameworks to supportauthentic businesses, she said.

TheGlobal Alliance for Trade Facilitation is working closely with the GDVC toimplement a customs clearance guarantee system, she noted, expressing her hope thatthis effort will progress in a timely manner./.