Applying science and technology in anti-smuggling work

Competent forces check infringing goods

In 2022, to enhance the effectiveness in anti-smuggling work, against trade fraud and counterfeit goods, the National Steering Committee 389 set the orientation and mission in 2022 in report No 1/BC-BCĐ389 dated January 27, 2022.

Complicated route

According to National Steering Committee 389, currently, Resolution No.128/NQ-CP of the Government dated October 11, 2021 is being implemented across the whole country. The Resolution stipulates safe and flexible adaptation and effective control of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Accordingly, when production, business, immigration, import and export activities return to normal, it would potentially pose the risk of people taking advantage of border routes, trails, openings, sea routes and seaports, air routes, and the domestic market for smuggling, trade fraud, illegal transport of prohibited items, counterfeit goods, goods infringing intellectual property rights, especially medical equipment and supplies for Covid-19 prevention and treatment.

In addition, sales of consumer goods such as firecrackers, food, cosmetics, alcohol, beer, cigarettes, cigars and confectionery increased sharply during the Lunar New Year.

Smugglers often change their operation methods which are increasingly sophisticated, especially mixing and hiding banned items, smuggled goods, and goods imported with conditions through border gates.

On the other hand, in the border provinces of the Northwest, the Northeast, the North of the Central Highlands and the Southwest, the illegal drug transportation and illegal transport of sugar and foreign cigarettes have increased, especially in southwestern and central border provinces.

In the domestic market, counterfeit goods, imitation goods from common consumer goods to high-end consumer goods are still complicated, with many different tactics.

In particular, during the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, e-commerce activities, online shopping, buying and selling through social networks and via express delivery, parcels were taken advantage of to buy, sell, transport banned goods, unsecured goods or mix fake goods with real goods, and poor quality goods.

Preventing counterfeit goods originating from Vietnam

Based on the results of the work in 2021 and forecasts for the future, the National 389 Steering Committee requested the 389 Steering Committees of ministries, sectors, localities and competent forces to focus on performing key tasks in 2022.

Specifically, Steering Committee 389 of ministries, sectors and localities thoroughly grasped and directed competent forces to promote the application of science and technology in the fight against smuggling, against trade fraud and counterfeit goods; strengthen coordination, connection, information sharing, promote the synergy of competent forces in the fight against smuggling, against trade fraud and counterfeit goods in the new situation.

At the same time, the Steering Committee widely publicizes the hotlines and e-mail addresses of the National Steering Committee 389 and Steering Committees 389 at all levels, the competent forces in order to ensure timely handling of the information reported by the public in accordance with the Regulation on receipt and handling of information on smuggling, trade fraud and counterfeit goods of the National Steering Committee 389.

Furthermore, the forces should perform well the professional work and basic investigation; strengthen surveillance by cameras, especially at trails and border opening road, ensure the detection, prevention and timely handling of smuggling and trade fraud, production and trading of counterfeit goods, poor quality goods, and goods of unknown origin.

Moreover, actively coordinating in sharing information, closely inspecting and monitoring shipments which are transshipment, temporary import and re-export, especially consignments of consumer goods, groceries, goods at risk of contraband, returning inland in order to detect and handle shipments counterfeiting Vietnamese origin for export, affecting the reputation of Vietnam and preferential policies of other countries for Vietnam.

Correcting and handling acts of taking advantage of the pandemic to speculate and unreasonably increase prices of essential commodities, items that are medical supplies, equipment, pharmaceuticals, food, and supplementary foods, medicinal herbs, traditional medicines; advertising, labeling is not transparent, misleading, not correct compared to the nature of the goods to deceive consumers.

Press agencies closely coordinate with competent forces to promptly and accurately report the situation and results of the fight against smuggling, trade fraud and counterfeiting; negative manifestations, and inadequacies in the operation of the authorities.

Regarding the Standing Office of the National Steering Committee 389, they are assigned to chair and coordinate with competent forces to proactively monitor and urge the implementation of thematic plans in anti-smuggling, against trade fraud and counterfeit goods which have been issued and the implementation of the direction of the Director of the National Steering Committee 389.