Unit 4: Stopping dozens of cases of transportation in counterfeits through border gates

	Proposal to invest in equipment for control activities at Buprang and Dak Peur border gates
	The cooperation between Customs and An Giang Border Defence achieves outstanding results
	The smuggling situation is controlled strictly in An Giang

Fake HERMÈS bags seized by Unit 4 in coordination with the Moc Bai International Border Gate Customs Branch. Photo: T.T

In particular, during the peak period of increased control in September 2024, the unit seized 19 violations, including many shipments of fake goods of famous brands such as HERMÈS and Apple.

Seizing a container of counterfeit goods

Implementing Plan No. 1244/KH-TCHQ dated March 26, 2024 of the General Department of Customs and the direction of the leaders of the Anti-Smuggling Investigation Department on strengthening the control of counterfeit goods smuggling and protecting intellectual property rights, unit 4 has prevented dozens of cases of import and export of counterfeits and goods infringing intellectual property rights at the border gate.

In April 2024, unit 4 coordinated with the Dong Nai Port Customs Branch - Dong Nai Customs Department to inspect a shipment under an independent transport declaration transported by a business in Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City, and discovered 20,950 packs (equivalent to 209,500 packages) of fake cigarettes of the Marlboro and Modern brands.

According to the leader of unit 4, the above cigarettes were transported from Cambodia, transiting through Vietnam to Benghazi, Libya. The business opened an independent transport declaration at the Hoa Lu International Border Gate Customs Branch - Binh Phuoc Customs Department, transported by road to Dong Nai port, then changed the method of transport by barge to Cai Mep port to board a ship to Libya.

On July 30, 2024, unit 4 coordinated with the Saigon Port Zone 1 Customs Branch, Ho Chi Minh City Customs Department to inspect an imported shipment under the declaration of N.K. Company. (Phu Nhuan District, Ho Chi Minh City). The goods were declared as 28 tons of industrial bearings (including 23 items), 100% new, made in China, worth over VND430 million.

Based on the results of the physical inspection, the verification results and the specialized appraisal results, the Customs authority determined that the above shipment had one NET bearing item which was a counterfeit trademark, four SFK bearing items and three NSK. bearing items which were infringing on intellectual property rights of the SKF and NSK brands.

Notably, in September 2024 - the peak month of implementing the direction of the leaders of the Anti-smuggling Investigation Department, unit 4 deployed many plans and prevented 19 violations of counterfeit goods and intellectual property rights.

Typically, on September 30, 2024, unit 4 presided over and coordinated with the Binh Hiep International Border Gate Customs Branch - Long An Customs Department to conduct a physical inspection of the transit shipment of X.Q.G Transport JSC, discovering 4,000 products of electric chargers and packages for chargers labeled the Apple logo.

At the time of inspection, the enterprise could not provide documents related to the authorization of import and export, transportation of 2 two Apple branded items by the owner of the Apple trademark protected in Vietnam. The case is being verified and clarified.

Fake famous brand goods

According to the leader of unit 4, the method of importing and exporting fake brand goods is often mixing fake goods with many other types of goods for transportation, to bypass the management authorities at the border gate. Recently, unit 4 coordinated with the Customs units at the border gate to handle the procedures for transit goods and seized many cases of counterfeit goods of famous brands.

Typically, on October 2, 2024, unit 4 presided over and coordinated with the Customs Branch of Binh Hiep International Border Gate, Long An Customs Department to inspect a transit shipment of T.M.L. Co., Ltd. (Van Lang district, Lang Son province) named on the customs declaration and transportation.

As a result, in addition to seven items of goods consistent with the customs declaration, there was also one item not declared to the customs, including 12 HERMÈS handbags. At the time of the physical inspection of the goods, T.M.L. Co., Ltd. failed to provide documents and papers related to the authorization to import and export, and transport HERMÈS branded goods of the owner of the HERMÈS brand protected in Vietnam. Recent appraisal results show that all 12 HERMÈS branded handbags are fake.

Previously, on September 30, 2024, at Moc Bai border gate, unit 4 presided over and coordinated with Moc Bai border gate Customs Branch (Tay Ninh Customs Department) to inspect the goods packed in the container under the transit declaration of the carrier, T.M.L. Co., Ltd. and detained 30 counterfeit HERMÈS branded handbags.

In addition to the above shipment, unit 4 discovered a shipment of nearly 6,000 counterfeit phone accessories of famous brands.

Specifically, on September 25, 2024, unit 4 presided over and coordinated with Binh Hiep Border Gate Customs Branch to conduct a physical inspection of the transit shipment transported from Huu Nghi Border Gate Customs Branch to Binh Hiep International Border Gate of T.M.L. Co., Ltd.

The results showed that, in 20 declared items, the working group discovered 5,710 phone cases, of which 4,510 had the Apple logo on the product, the word "iPhone" on the inside of the product; 300 Case.Mate phone cases had the Apple logo; 400 Chanel phone cases had the Chanel logo; and 400 phone cases had the LV logo.

At the time of the physical inspection, T.M.L. Co., Ltd. did not provide documents related to the authorization of import and export, transportation of goods under the brands Apple, Case.Mate, LV, Chanel of the owners of the protected trademark in Vietnam. The appraisal results show that the iPhone, Chanel, Louis Vuitton phone cases are counterfeits.

As the main specialized unit in the work of combating counterfeit smuggling and protecting intellectual property rights, unit 4 will continue to promote the achieved results, proactively control the area, coordinate with customs units at border gates to inspect and promptly prevent violations, contributing to maintaining economic security, protecting business brands and consumer rights.