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| At the Huu Nghi International Border Gate in Lang Son province__Photo: VNA |
State budget revenue from import and export activities in the first half of 2025 reached nearly VND 222.75 trillion (USD 8.5 billion), equivalent to 54.2 percent of the annual target and representing a 10.3 percent increase, or VND 20.87 trillion, compared to the same period in 2024, the Department of Vietnam Customs reported on July 3.
Trade value for goods over the six months is estimated at USD 431.49 billion, marking a year-on-year increase of 16 percent or USD 59.49 billion. Of this, export turnover is projected to reach USD 219.34 billion, up 14.2 percent, or USD 27.29 billion, while import value is estimated at USD 212.15 billion, up 17.9 percent, or USD 32.2 billion.
Vietnam's trade balance in the first half of 2025 is estimated to show a surplus of USD 7.19 billion, a 40.6 percent decline compared to the figure recorded in the same period last year.
According to the department, anti-smuggling operations have been intensified across all regions and routes.
Smuggling, trade fraud, illegal cross-border transport of goods, counterfeiting, and violations of intellectual property rights remain complicated and serious, with numerous major cases uncovered along border routes, at border gates, and in coastal areas. Key categories of contraband include petroleum, dietary supplements, milk products, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, tobacco, narcotics, gold, and goods falsely labelled as originating in Vietnam.
Maritime routes accounted for the highest proportion of violations — 53.2 percent of the total cases — mostly at major seaports. Offences involved misdeclaration of goods names, types, customs values, HS codes, and origin. Land routes frequently experienced smuggling and transport of goods without proper documents, particularly in central Vietnam and along the borders with Laos, China, and Cambodia. Contraband on these routes often included fireworks, refined sugar, frozen food, consumer goods, and cigarettes.
Illegal transport of narcotics, currency, and gold across borders is reportedly on the rise, with increasingly sophisticated methods, particularly via air routes.
Since the beginning of 2025, customs authorities have discovered 8,561 cases of customs law violations, with an estimated value of seized goods totaling approximately VND 13.61 trillion. The amount recovered for the State budget stood at around VND 461.36 billion. The customs agency has initiated criminal proceedings in eight cases and transferred 54 cases to other competent authorities with recommendations for prosecution.- (VNA/VLLF)
