Professional activities at the Anti-smuggling and Investigation Department under the General Department of Customs. — VNA/VNS Photo

The General Department of Customs on Tuesday announced that the State budget revenue from import-export activities reached VNĐ274 trillion (US$11.3 billion) in the first eight months of the year, equal to 73.1 per cent of the assigned estimate and up 13.1 per cent year-on-year.

The total value of import-export goods reached $511.11 billion in the eight months, up 16.7 per cent over the same period last year.

Over the period, the country's trade balance of goods had a surplus of $19.08 billion, 4.1 per cent lower than the same time period last year.

In addition, the entire customs sector detected, arrested and handled 11,555 cases of violations of customs laws from January to August, with an estimated value of violating goods of VNĐ21.63 trillion.

The customs agency prosecuted 16 cases and transferred 113 cases to other agencies for prosecution. The amount of money collected for the state budget was VNĐ474.8 billion.

The General Department of Customs was assigned by the National Assembly to collect a State budget of VNĐ375 trillion this year. The balance of revenue from import and export activities was VNĐ204 trillion.

Officials said that they would continue to reform customs policies and procedures, ensure state management of customs, prevent and combat trade fraud while improving effectiveness and efficiency in performing the task of protecting national sovereignty and economic security.

At the same time, the Department ensures a complete legal basis for the construction and implementation of digital customs and smart customs models, contributing to facilitate import-export enterprises, support trade promotions and contributing to the country's economic growth target. — VNS