Dozens of fake HERMÈS bags intercepted in a border crackdown

Specifically, on October 2, 2024, Unit 4, in collaboration with the Binh Hiep International Border Gate Customs Branch and the Long An Customs Department, conducted an inspection of a transit shipment declared by T.M.L. Co., Ltd. (Van Lang district, Lang Son province).

The goods were declared for transit under a separate transport declaration registered on September 25, 2024, at the Mong Cai Customs Branch, Quang Ninh Customs Department.

Inspection results revealed that in addition to the 7 items declared in the customs declaration, there were 12 undeclared handbags bearing the HERMÈS brand.

These products were labeled with "HERMÈS, PARIS, Made in FRANCE" and individually packaged in dust bags with the HERMÈS logo.

At the time of the inspection, T.M.L. Co., Ltd. could not provide any documentation related to the authorization to import, export, or transport HERMÈS branded goods from the trademark owner protected in Vietnam.

Suspecting that the goods were counterfeit HERMÈS products, the customs authorities and representatives of T.M.L. Co., Ltd. took samples for appraisal.

Recent appraisal results confirmed that all 12 HERMÈS handbags were counterfeit.

Previously, on September 30, 2024, at the Moc Bai border gate, a working group led by Unit 4, in collaboration with the Moc Bai Border Gate Customs Branch (Tay Ninh Provincial Customs Department), inspected goods in a container belonging to the transport declaration of T.M.L. Co., Ltd. and discovered and seized 30 counterfeit HERMÈS handbags.

According to customs officers of Unit 4, this shipment was declared by the enterprise at the Huu Nghi Border Gate Customs Branch, Lang Son Customs Department, and was transported in transit to Cambodia via the Moc Bai-Tay Ninh border gate.

The container contained 27 items. Upon inspection, the working group discovered 3 additional items not declared; one item was an undeclared HERMÈS handbag.

A detailed inspection of the undeclared items revealed 30 women's handbags (with handles) bearing the HERMÈS brand, new, with the words (HERMÈS PARIS, MADE IN FRANCE) printed directly on the top of the flap, and the outer buckle of the bag stamped with HERMÈS – PARIS.

At the time of the inspection, T.M.L. Co., Ltd. could not provide any documentation related to the authorization to import, export, or transport HERMÈS branded goods from the trademark owner protected in Vietnam.

Appraisal results concluded that the HERMÈS handbags were counterfeit.

The customs authorities are currently expanding the investigation and handling these two cases.

Close-up images of fake HERMÈS bags:

Counterfeit HERMÈS bags seized by Customs

Each bag is contained in a faux HERMÈS branded bag

The lock is also embossed with fake HERMÈS