The department said scrap imports into the country had seen complicated changes, possibly causing pollution and affecting the environment.

The local department of customs should, therefore, follow regulations on environment protection.

According to Circular No 41 dated September 9, 2015, issued by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, scrap imports must meet environmental regulations. However, some businesses violated the norms, declaring incorrect names and codes of products and giving fake confirmation of completing customs procedures for scrap imports.

The department said localities should enhance checks on imported goods such as used steel, iron, plastic and paper.

The decision was taken after HCM City’s Department of Customs reported that many imported scrap containers were stuck at ports.

The situation is prevalent at the port of Tan Cang Cat Lai (TCCL port), the largest container port in Viet Nam. The port is facing stagnation with thousands of containers filled with plastic and scrap paper.

As of mid-May 2018, TCCL was stockpiling more than 7,000TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent unit) of plastic and scrap paper and more than 3,000TEUs of other commodities, stored for more than 90 days (this accounted for 10 per cent of TCCL’s total port capacity).

Besides the surcharge on some services to adjust and restrict the huge quantity of goods docking at Tan Cang-Cat Lai Port, from 1st June 2018, the Sai Gon New Port Co-operation has taken measures to suspend receiving more plastic scrap containers imported into the two ports including Tan Cang-Cat Lai Port and Tan Cang-Hiep Phuoc Port.

Especially, the Corporation has decided to suspend receiving almost all shipments of scrap directly imported to these ports from 1st June to 30th September this year.

The latest report of the General Department of Customs shows that in the first five months of the year, the country imported more than two million tonnes of steel scrap, earning a revenue of US$744 million. The highest imported amount of scrap came from Japan, with 546,000 tonnes worth $200 million.

In addition to the imports of steel scrap and machines, Viet Nam also imported old boats and car tires. Most of the products have been at seaports, especially international ones.