Promptly handle objects abusing e-commerce activities

	Highlights in Tax Management Law No. 38 taking effect from July 1, 2020
	Managing e-commerce activities for import – export goods

There is a need for a mechanism to manage goods imported and exported via e-commerce. Photo: Illustrative photo.

This was directed by the Standing Deputy Prime Minister Truong HoaBinh, Head of the National Steering Committee 389 for ministries, sectors and localities in implementing the plan on strengthening prevention of smuggling, trade fraud and counterfeit goods in e-commerce activities.

Abusing e-commerce to trade prohibited and counterfeit goods

According to the National Steering Committee 389, in recent years, along with the boom of information technology, e-commerce in Vietnam, has made significant development andonline business activities have increasingly developed and brought great values and benefits to businesses and people, making an important contribution to the economic development of the country. However, besides the positive aspects, this activity is generating many risks, affecting the sustainable development of the economy and people's lives.

Many organisations and individuals have abused e-commerce activities to trade in banned goods and services, smuggled goods, counterfeit goods, goods infringing intellectual property rights, poor quality goods, restricted goods, conditional goods, expired goods, non-originating goods, and to provide false information to deceive consumers.

The main reason is the system of legal documents has not kept up with the development of technology, new business models and methods, sanctions are insufficiently strict and the coordination among competent units andforces has not been implemented promptly, regularly or continuously.

In addition, competent forces’ capacity, qualification and equipment for the management in the e-commerce sector are limited, whileconsumer’s awareness and self-awareness skills are not high, and they do not know how to protect their interests.

Promptly handle objects abusing e-commerce activities

To detect and promptly and effectively prevent this situation, Standing Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh, Head of the National Steering Committee, requested ministries, sectors, localities and forces to strengthen coordination in management, detecting, combating and promptly and effectively preventing smuggling, trade fraud and counterfeit goods in e-commerce activities; step by step improve mechanisms and policies related to e-commerce activities.

Firstly, strengthen inspection and supervision of compliance of legal regulations by traders, organizations and individuals participating in e-commerce activities in Vietnam’s territory; synthesise, evaluate, classify objects and items, identify behaviours, methods and tricks to have plans, technological and technical solutions in accordance with the law, ensuring the timely detection and handling of objects abusing e-commerce activities to commited to acts of smuggling, trade fraud and counterfeit goods.

Second,strengthen to review, amend, supplement or issue new legal documents to remove inadequacies and loopholes to perfect mechanisms and policies to adapt to international laws and practices on e-commerce activities.

Thirdly, promote information, publicity of legal regulations on e-commerce, acts and tricks of smuggling, trade fraud, and trading in counterfeit goods in e-commerce activities; develop plans to publicise the law, raise awareness of law observance of organisations and individuals, create a deep and wide spread for people to denounce smuggling, trade fraud and trading in counterfeit goods in e-commerce activities.

Fourth, to focus on researching and investing in information technology facilities and equipment, training to enhance qualification, regularly supplementing knowledge, updating new information technology development trends and technology platforms for forces to meet requirements, improve the effectiveness of the combat objects using high technology to commit illegal acts in e-commerce activities.

Fifthly, strengthen international cooperation with relevant organisations to coordinate investigation and handling of domain names, websites, social networks and overseas objects, users of services on cyberspace provided by foreign countries for e-commerce activities to violate Vietnamese laws.

Finally, promptly rewarde collectives and individuals with outstanding achievements in the fight against smuggling, trade fraud and counterfeit goods in e-commerce activities; detect and strictly handle collectives and individuals that cover, assist and protect those who abuse e-commerce activities to break the law.