Rise in e-commerce violations sparks concern

Market Surveillance forces inspected and handled many warehouses containing illegal goods.

According to the Market Surveillance Authority, in the first 11 months of 2024, a total of 65,881 cases were inspected, leading to the handling of 45,045 violations.

The total penalties imposed amounted to VND841 billion, including VND 437 billion in administrative fines, VND 203 billion worth of confiscated goods, VND 201 billion worth of destroyed counterfeit goods, VND 518 billion in contributions to the state budget. Additionally, 162 cases showing signs of criminal activity were transferred to investigative agencies.

Despite a decline in violations related to prohibited goods, smuggled items, counterfeit products, and pricing irregularities, there has been a noticeable increase in offenses related to origin fraud, intellectual property infringement, food safety, agriculture, and particularly e-commerce compared to the same period in 2023.

The Market Surveillance force revealed that many violators establish storage facilities near border areas, operate decentralized order-processing points, and use live-streaming platforms to promote products. Violations often involve mixing illicit goods with legitimate ones and using unregistered phone numbers for transactions. These items are then delivered via courier or express services, complicating detection efforts.

The scope and complexity of violations in the e-commerce space have grown significantly, involving not only consumer goods but also critical items such as counterfeit health supplements, cosmetics, medicines, and electronic cigarettes. These fraudulent goods pose direct threats to consumer health and safety.

The General Department of Market Surveillance noted that violations involving smuggled goods, unclear origins, counterfeit products, and intellectual property breaches remain pervasive. Such activities peak during holidays and extended breaks when consumer demand surges.

Illegal goods are typically stockpiled in border regions or at intermediary warehouses along distribution routes before being smuggled into domestic markets. High-demand categories include fashion items, cosmetics, electrical devices, food products.

Notably, cases involving traditional cigarettes have declined, while violations related to electronic and heated tobacco products have risen. These offenses often involve smuggling, products with unclear origins, or unknown quality.

Major cities and provinces such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, An Giang, Long An, Khanh Hoa, Lang Son, Da Nang, Lao Cai, Quang Ninh, and Bac Ninh are identified as hotspots for these violations. Offenders increasingly rely on couriers and logistics services to transport illicit goods, leveraging unregistered phone numbers to further evade detection.