Customs seizes nearly 6.5 trillion VND worth of contraband goods

On May 11, 2026, the General Department of Customs held a briefing on April activities and the tasks for May 2026. The meeting was conducted in person with online participation, chaired by Deputy Director Luu Manh Tuong, with representatives from leading units and units and sub-departments.

Import-export revenue and budget collection

According to the report presented at the meeting, revenue to the state budget from import–export activities in April 2026 reached 46,974 billion VND, up 1.8% from the previous month.

As of April 30, 2026, cumulative total budget revenue from import–export activities was 166,301 billion VND, equivalent to 36.9% of the plan. This figure was up 16.5% year-on-year and equal to 32.2% of the target.

Smuggling and commercial fraud: complex trends

Customs reported that smuggling and commercial fraud continue to show a complex trend, particularly at key border routes.

Authorities recorded illegal transport of gold and diesel in the central region bordering Laos and along the Mekong River near Cambodia. In the northern region, prohibited goods such as pangolin scales and frozen foods of unidentified origin continue to be sold illegally.

Enforcement results on violations

From March 15 to April 14, 2026, customs forces detected and processed 2,152 violations, up 61.8% year-on-year.

From mid-December 2025 to mid-April 2026, the entire customs sector processed 7,029 violations with an estimated value of contraband goods of about 6,486.8 billion VND. During the period, the agency initiated prosecutions in 4 cases and referred 43 cases for prosecution, and collected 277.5 billion VND for the state budget.

For a separate estimate cited in the briefing, the total value of contraband goods was about 1,720 billion VND. Of these, customs referred 15 cases to prosecution, up 25% compared with the same period in 2025, and collected 76.2 billion VND.

Drug prevention and enforcement

Drug prevention and enforcement efforts continued with close coordination between Customs, Police, and Border Guard.

Within one month, forces detected and arrested 17 cases involving 23 individuals, of which Customs led 7 cases. About 62.7 kg of various narcotics were seized, including: 5.4 kg cannabis; 8.4 kg heroin; 5 kg cocaine; 21.3 kg ketamine; 20.6 kg synthetic drugs; and 2 kg of other drugs.

Since mid-December 2025, the customs sector, in coordination with police and border guards, has detected and arrested a total of 63 cases involving 81 individuals. Customs led 20 cases and seized about 306.7 kg of drugs, including: 38.8 kg cannabis; 31.3 kg heroin; 13.5 kg cocaine; 40.5 kg ketamine; 181.3 kg methamphetamine; and 2.3 kg other drugs.

Measures and coordination going forward

In response to the evolving situation, the Customs Department issued directives to strengthen control over key items such as gasoline, gold, and narcotics, and warned about new methods and tricks used by subjects, especially on air routes.

As an advisor to the Ministry of Finance, the unit proposed issuing mechanisms and plans for peak anti-smuggling, anti-fraud, and counterfeit goods campaigns during the 2026 Lunar New Year, and reporting to the Prime Minister on management and control of petrol trading activities.

The department also participated in inter-agency and international cooperation activities, including an information exchange conference on drug crime prevention in Q1/2026 and the Mekong Dragon Campaign VIII on April 15, 2026, with the Customs Department of Vietnam serving as a co-coordinator.

The briefing noted that the campaign was included in the Vietnam–China joint statement during the official visit of General Secretary and State President To Lam. In the coming period, the customs sector will continue to advance operational solutions, reinforce inter-agency coordination, and aim to effectively control violations, ensure economic security, and fulfill budget revenue tasks.