Through the fight against smuggling, trade fraud and counterfeit goods between January and September of 2021, the authorities have collected and remitted to the state budget an amount of up to VND7,519 billion.

Standing Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh, Head of the 389 National Steering
Committees delivered the opening speech at the conference. Photo: T.Binh.

Orders of production of fake goods from foreigners

Standing Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh, Head of the National Steering Committee against Smuggling, Trade Fraud and Counterfeiting (National Steering Committee 389) chaired a meeting to review performance in the third quarter of 2021 and carry out key tasks in the near future of the 389 National Steering Committee on October 14, 2021.

Attending the meeting were the Deputy Heads and members of the 389 National Steering Committee.

Delivering a speech to open the meeting, the Deputy Prime Minister said despite the complicated developments of the Covid-19 pandemic, smuggling, trade fraud and counterfeiting goods is a problem. However, motivated by efforts, the authorities have handled many violations, including large-scale smuggling cases.

The 389 National Steering Committee reported that smuggling, trade fraud and counterfeiting activities have been complicated in some key routes, areas and fields.

Some typical violations included production and trade in medical equipment for prevention and control of the Covid-19 pandemic without invoices and vouchers, unknown origin; trade in contraband goods and manufacture and trade in counterfeit goods, and goods infringing intellectual property rights, violations related to e-commerce activities; trading and transportation of banned goods across borders.

Regarding methods, in bordering provinces, suspects use cars, motorbikes, and high-speed boats to illegally transport goods or carry goods across the border mainly at night. Before transporting, suspects send people to check the road and monitor the authorities. In particular, when chased, they will throw away vehicles and evidence to flee, then incite people to come to the scene to fight the authorities in order to increase pressure to disperse goods; the leaders often hire people and vehicles to transport goods, making it difficult for investigation.

Notably, some suspects ordered the production of counterfeit goods and fake goods from abroad before sending them to Vietnam for consumption. Therefore, poor quality goods and goods of unknown-origin are widely sold online; sellers take advantage of websites, social networking sites such as facebook, zalo to sell and advertise fake products, goods infringing intellectual property rights, goods of unknown origin and poor quality goods.

During the pandemic, suspects have used new methods to transport non-customs goods, which is abusing “green channel” vehicles (vehicles granted with priority card using QR Code) to carry essential goods, goods for export production to pass the Covid-19 pandemic control points to illegally transport and trade in contraband goods and banned goods.

Transnational drug crimes

Smuggling cases recently involve facemasks, Covid-19 treatment drugs, oxygen generators, Covid-19 test strips, hand sanitizers, and used medical gloves in many provinces and cities nationwide, mainly in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City

In addition, smuggling of "traditional" goods such as foreign cigarettes, sugar, cosmetics, and medicines is a problem in the provinces and cities of Quang Tri, Da Nang, Tay Ninh, Long An, Dong Thap, Binh Phuoc, An Giang, Tien Giang and Kien Giang.

Especially, the illegal drug trafficking and transportation is complicated in the land border areas, seaports and international airports of many provinces and cities across the country such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Dien Bien, Son La, Lao Cai, Lang Son, Quang Ninh, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Dak Nong, Binh Phuoc, Tay Ninh, Long An, Dong Thap and An Giang.

Drugs are transported from the "Golden Triangle" area across borders of northern border provinces to China or transported from the "Golden Triangle" area across the borders of the Northern, North Central, Central Highlands, and Southwestern provinces to Ho Chi Minh City and southern provinces and cities for consumption. Illegal trading and transportation of drugs in large volumes via air and express services mainly occur in Noi Bai International Airport, Tan Son Nhat International Airport and Da Nang International Airport.

Facing the above situation and following drastic guidance of the 389 National Steering Committee of ministries, government agencies and local authorities, the combat against smuggling, trade fraud and counterfeiting recorded positive results and the number of prosecuted cases rose over 90% year-on-year.