Anti-counterfeiting peak: Tighten inspection and strictly handle violations nationwide

Many large-scale production and trading lines of smuggled and counterfeit goods were dismantled... With the synchronous and drastic participation of functional forces in the peak month of fighting smuggling, trade fraud and counterfeit goods, the strictness of the law has been affirmed, creating transparency in production and business, thereby protecting legitimate businesses and consumers.

Lao Cai province market management force controls the area. (Photo: qltt)

Focus on prominent areas

Immediately after the Prime Minister issued Official Dispatch No. 65/CD-TTg and Directive No. 13/CT-TTh on strengthening the fight against smuggling and trade fraud, ministries, branches and localities have implemented many solutions to inspect and control goods and areas prone to smuggling, counterfeit goods and trade fraud. The results after more than 3 weeks of inspection and handling have affirmed the strictness of the law.

Accordingly, during this peak period, the market management force of Hai Phong city focused on checking essential consumer goods that are easily counterfeited and smuggled such as: food, milk, health protection foods, cosmetics, alcohol, modern medicine, medicinal herbs...

As a result, in May and early June alone, 13 violations were detected, and nearly 5,000 products including syrup, powder, candy, cosmetics, milk, functional foods, sausages, chicken feet, clothes, shoes, accessories... without invoices or documents, and of unknown origin were seized. The total value of the destroyed infringing goods was up to 231 million VND, the goods awaiting processing was 155 million VND, and the amount collected for the budget reached 231 million VND.

A representative of the Hai Phong City Market Management Department said that in the coming time, the unit will continue to tighten inspections of wholesale markets, retail outlets and warehouses in the area with the goal of promoting the prevention of smuggling and trade fraud, ensuring consumer rights and a healthy business environment for legitimate businesses.

In addition, the Hai Phong City Market Management Department also recommends that consumers should choose products with labels, QR codes for traceability, full invoices, and prioritize buying at reputable stores to protect their health and legitimate rights.

Hanoi joint forces inspect a facility showing signs of counterfeit goods production. (Photo: qltt)

In the capital, the Hanoi Market Management Department also developed a plan to combat, prevent and repel smuggling, trade fraud, counterfeit goods and infringement of intellectual property rights in Hanoi. At the same time, the leaders of the Department directed the Market Management Departments and Teams to strengthen market inspection and control in some prominent areas of the city, such as Gia Lam district, Hoai Duc district and Cau Giay district...

As a result, the authorities discovered and seized many products with signs of violating invoices and documents, even counterfeit goods. Typically, the inspection of the business establishment at 64 Hang Giay Street, Dong Xuan Ward, Hoan Kiem District on May 28 discovered a large number of products including perfumes and cosmetics bearing famous brands such as: Giorgio Armani, YSL, Prive, Gucci, Lancôme, Dior, Louis Vuitton, Moschino, Valentino, Miss Coco... without sufficient invoices and documents proving legal origin. Many products showed signs of counterfeiting trademarks that are protected in Vietnam.

In Ho Chi Minh City, on the afternoon of May 29, the Market Management Department divided into 6 working groups to simultaneously inspect major business locations in different areas of the Saigon Square Trade Center.

At the business locations, the Inspection Teams initially recorded a series of products for sale bearing famous brands such as Rolex, Longines, Patek Philippe watches; handbags and wallets of LV, Gucci, Dior, YSL, Celine, Goyard, Chanel, Hermès, Bottega Veneta, Prada; and many models of glasses with Gucci labels... However, all of these products showed signs of counterfeiting genuine goods, seriously affecting the interests of consumers as well as the reputation of protected brands in Vietnam.

A representative of IPT Intellectual Property Consulting Limited Liability Company, a trademark protection representative for famous brands such as Rolex, BVLGARI, Chanel, etc., said that most of the products that the Inspection Team is handling show signs of counterfeiting the trademarks protected by the Company. Notably, these products are sold at prices much lower than genuine products.

Strengthen inspection and control of the area

According to statistics from the Government Office, after 2 weeks of peak implementation, functional forces, units and localities have inspected, detected and arrested more than 450 violations of trading, commercial fraud, counterfeit goods, tax evasion, with the total value of goods and exhibits reaching tens of billions of VND.

These initial results have affirmed the strong commitment of the Government, ministries, branches and functional forces in creating a transparent, fair and modern business environment.

Regarding the activities of the Market Management force, over the past 2 weeks, the force has inspected, detected and handled many major violations and strictly handled them with the motto "handling one case, warning the whole region, the whole field," "no forbidden areas, no exceptions."

Mr. Tran Viet Hung, Head of Market Management Department, Department of Domestic Market Management and Development (Ministry of Industry and Trade) shared that under the drastic and urgent direction of the Government, the Ministry of Industry and Trade and directly the Director of the Department of Domestic Market Management and Development, the Department and the Market Management force nationwide have reviewed violations in the e-commerce environment.

“Currently, the force has been reviewing over 1,000 lists of websites and stores that conduct business activities in the e-commerce environment. If violations are detected, the Department will resolutely handle them in the spirit of no forbidden zones as directed by the Government leaders,” said Mr. Tran Viet Hung.

However, to control and eventually eliminate counterfeit goods, according to Mr. Hung, it is necessary to build a shared database, because this is the most optimal solution in the current context. In particular, it is necessary to actively communicate and propagate about the dangers and negative impacts of smuggling, trade fraud, counterfeit goods, and infringement of intellectual property rights to raise awareness and responsibility of officials, civil servants and consumers, and at the same time, propagate and disseminate the tricks and methods of fraud and deception of the subjects so that people know, raise vigilance and promptly inform the competent authorities.

Authorities strictly handle violations with the motto "no forbidden zones, no exceptions." (Photo: qltt)

On the Hanoi side, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade Nguyen Kieu Oanh said that the city's Department of Industry and Trade has directed the market management force to continue to do a good job of reviewing, inspecting, and controlling the area, not allowing subjects to take advantage of the situation to trade, transport, and store prohibited goods, smuggled goods, counterfeit goods, goods of unknown origin, and goods that do not guarantee quality, especially in the e-commerce business environment and online sales. Resolutely and strictly handle organizations and individuals who commit acts of smuggling, trade fraud, and counterfeit goods.

Regarding this field, Mr. Trinh Quang Duc, Head of the Hanoi Market Management Department, added that the market management force has been proactively promoting the situation, identifying routes, areas, subjects, key groups of goods, coordinating inspection, control, and prevention of smuggling, trade fraud, and counterfeit goods.../.

According to VNA

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/cao-diem-chong-hang-gia-siet-chat-kiem-tra-xu-ly-nghiem-vi-pham-tren-ca-nuoc-251714.htm