Market surveillance officers seize 28,000 Satay products suspected of counterfeiting the "Thuan Phat" brand in November in Bac Ninh and Hanoi (November 11).

Reviewing key products

According to the plan, the General Department of Customs requested customs units to strengthen information collection and identify “hot” areas, routes and products. Especially, they will focus on controlling goods for the Lunar New Year at international border gates and develop a plan to fight against those who take advantage of imported goods in high demand in the Lunar New Year 2022.

Accordingly, the Customs authority shall review goods affecting social security, including: weapons, drugs, gasoline, explosives and firecrackers of all kinds. Wild animals, medicinal herbs and goods of fraudulent Vietnamese origin are also included in the list.

In addition, customs units are required to strengthen information gathering and control to proactively handle cases abusing the Covid-19 pandemic to illegally trade in medicines, medical equipment, medical biological products and quick tests for the SARS-CoV-2 antigen. They will focus on strengthening inspections and supervision and will fight against those who take advantage of policies and procedures in order to smuggle. Finally, they will aim to improve efficiency on the control of drug distribution.

Control from border to inland

On November 18, the General Department of Market Surveillance issued the “Peak Plan” to combat smuggling, trade fraud and counterfeit goods before, during and after the Lunar New Year 2022.

In this plan, the Market Surveillance Agency has mentioned key areas and items required for further inspection and supervision, such as: confectionery and wine, beer, soft drinks, cigarettes, fresh food products and medical equipment for the Covid-19 pandemic. They also require its units to prevent hoarding of goods, unreasonable price increases and ensure market stability to serve the people's needs for the Tet.

In addition, the market management at the northern border will focus on Tan Thanh, Huu Nghi and Tan Thanh markets (Lang Son province). As well as the Lao Cai international border gate, Kim Thanh border gate, Coc Leu market (Lao Cai province); Mong Cai City (Quang Ninh), the Thanh Thuy border gate (Ha Giang) and Tay Trang border gate (Dien Bien) for key items such as firecrackers, cigarettes, alcohol, beer, soft drinks, fashion goods, liquefied petroleum gas, food products, cosmetics, livestock and poultry and medical equipment.

The Department of Market Surveillance at the Central Highlands border will pay attention to the Cau Treo border gate area (Ha Tinh), Cha Lo border gate (Quang Binh); Lao Bao border gate and Dong Ha market (Quang Tri) for key items such as sugar, soft drinks, used electronics and refrigeration products.

The Department of Market Surveillance in the Southwest border will note ​​the Moc Bai border gate (Tay Ninh), ​​Duc Hoa and Duc Hue districts (Long An), Tinh Bien border gate (An Giang); Hong Ngu city (Dong Thap) and Hoa Lu border gate (Binh Phuoc) for key products: cigarettes, sugar, gasoline, used electronics, refrigeration products, fertilizers and pesticides.

The Departments of Market Surveillance in the inland provinces will strengthen the inspection and control of goods at commercial centers, markets and busy trading streets. They will inspect the listing of prices, prevent the hoarding of goods and prevent unreasonable price increases, especially for essential items for people's life during the Lunar New Year and the medical products for the prevention and control of the Covid-19 pandemic.

As noted by the reporter of Customs News in the northern, central and southwestern border areas, domestic consumption demand will surely increase at the end of the year, and so too will smuggling along with it. Therefore, the Customs, Border Guard and Police forces are focusing on implementing many solutions, especially in key areas on the border such as mountainous terrain, interlaced canals, trails and shortcuts.