Some goods trucks are avoiding using the Napao-Chalo international border between Laos and Vietnam in Khammuan province as the trucks are being levied higher charges at this border.
Previously, the trucks crossing the border only paid a relatively modest fee but now they are charged anywhere from 300,000 to 500,000 kip depending on the size of the trucks.
An official from Khammuan province, who asked not to be named, told Vientiane Times on Wednesday that the trucks have been charged for about two years and this money will be used to maintain the border and the roads.
The Lao trucks crossing the border will not be charged on the Laos side but are charged when they cross into Vietnam, while the Vietnamese trucks will be charged on the Lao border side.
Another official in Khammuan also mentioned t hat right now some trucks from Khammuan are not using the Napao-Chalo international border to link with Vietnam .
He explained that some of them are using the Dansavan-Lao Bao international border in Savannakhet province or the Nampao-Cau Treo international border in Borikhamxay province instead.
However, an anonymous Savannakhet provincial customs officer said that the Dansavan-Lao Bao international border has had an operational one door, one stop service since early 2015.
The Dansavan-Lao Bao border is not charging trucks like the Laos-Vietnam border in Khammuan province, but many trucks still use the Napao-Chalo international border because this way is closer to Vietnam as well as in China, he said.
On the other hand Savannakhet wants more trucks from Khammuan or trucks from Thailand to use its border.
According to the Savannakhet provincial Public Works and Transport Department, the service is intended to reduce transport times for trucks and people moving goods across the border.
The single window service means that vehicles entering Laos from Vietnam are not checked at the Vietnamese border but only at the Lao border. Meanwhile vehicles from Laos entering Vietnam have to present their documen ts on the Vietnamese side only.
Based on a Vietnam News report yesterday, Vietnam and other regional countries such as Laos, Cambodia and Thailand have made agreements to facilitate road transport but border linkages have not been fully implemented due to differences in legislation.
It now takes only 15 minutes for trucks to complete customs declarations at the Lao Bao-Dansavan border crossing between Vietnam and Laos.
Source: Vientiane Times
