According to information from the Customs Department, in January 30, 2026 alone, at land and water border gates across the country, serious congestion is occurring with more than 1,300 vehicles including trucks and boats carrying fresh agricultural products and food that have not had food safety inspection results to be cleared.
Quick statistics show that at Kim Thanh international border gate (Lao Cai), there are about 300 vehicles carrying fresh agricultural products such as vegetables, tubers, fruits and confectionery that have not had food safety inspection results. At Hoa Lu border gate (Dong Nai), there are 251 vehicles carrying cassava slices and bananas waiting for inspection results.
Many other border gates also recorded congestion with a large amount of goods being food, such as Lao Bao border gate (Quang Tri) with 50 vehicles, Dinh Ba (Dong Thap) 100 vehicles, Vinh Xuong (An Giang) 200 boats, Thuong Phuoc (Dong Thap) 200 boats, Tinh Bien 200 vehicles.
The cause of the above situation was identified by the Customs Department as being due to state food safety inspection units temporarily suspending the issuance of quarantine certificates and food safety inspections for imported food shipments originating from plants and animals, according to the provisions of Decree No. 46/2026/ND-CP.
Although Decree No. 46/2026/ND-CP and Resolution No. 66.13/2026/NQ-CP have transitional regulations related to self-declaration, registration of product declarations and state inspection agencies for imported food, there is currently no transitional clause for the state inspection procedure on food safety to serve as a basis for issuing notifications of food confirmation results meeting import requirements.
According to the Customs Department, imported goods through border gates are mainly agricultural products, fresh fruits, confectionery and food with short shelf life.
The inability to clear customs on the same day puts goods at risk of damage, causing great damage to businesses, and also generating many costs such as warehousing, yard storage, vehicle costs, and fines for late delivery. In addition, prolonged vehicle congestion also poses a risk of unsafety and security in border areas, especially in the context of the Lunar New Year peak approaching.
Faced with this situation, on January 31, 2026, the Customs Department issued Urgent Official Dispatch No. 8012/CHQ-GSQL proposing that the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment - in their roles as food safety management agencies according to their assigned fields - soon have guidance to remove obstacles and difficulties arising, limit damage to businesses and avoid congestion of goods at border gates.
At the same time, the Customs Department also directed regional Customs Sub-Departments to strengthen duty shifts, be ready to carry out customs clearance procedures promptly as soon as specialized ministries have handling measures, in order to quickly release goods and vehicles, and ensure safety and security in border areas.
