Illegal trading of invoices and documents is becoming more and more complicated.

(Baonghean.vn) -In 2016, the situation of smuggling, trade fraud and counterfeit goods on routes and areas nationwide became more complicated; smugglers' activities became more sophisticated and organized to bring smuggled goods into the country for domestic consumption. That is the assessment of the National Steering Committee 389 on combating smuggling, trade fraud and counterfeit goods.

Preliminary results of the 2016 fight, the National Steering Committee 389, ministries, branches and localities directed functional forces at all levels to detect and handle 223,262 violations (an increase of 8.23% compared to 2015); the amount of revenue collected for the state budget from administrative fines, sales of confiscated goods and inspection, examination and tax collection work reached 21,556 billion VND, an increase of nearly 60% compared to 2015; prosecuted 1,561 cases with 1,863 subjects.

In the first two months of 2017, the forces discovered and handled 27,327 violations, collected 1,647 billion VND for the state budget, prosecuted 304 cases, and prosecuted 389 subjects.

In Nghe An, in 2016, the situation of trading in prohibited goods and transporting smuggled goods was still quite complicated with very sophisticated methods of operation. Regarding commercial fraud, the most prominent acts were tax evasion, illegal printing, issuance, and trading of invoices and documents...

Panorama of the conference at Nghe An bridge. Photo: Thu Huyen

Counterfeit goods, goods of unknown origin, poor quality goods are mainly consumer goods such as: cosmetics, soft drinks, confectionery, MSG, washing powder, storm protection tape, fertilizer. The production of counterfeit goods in Nghe An takes place on a small scale, mainly by hand-made production, mixing, repackaging, changing packaging, labels to put on the market to deceive consumers in order to sell for profit.

Smuggled shampoos, hair conditioners, and dyes of unknown origin were destroyed by the Nghe An Market Management Department. Photo: Thu Huyen

In 2016, Nghe An authorities have dismantled a number of large networks and groups violating the production and trading of counterfeit goods. The provincial police force has dismantled a facility producing counterfeit cosmetics and sanitary napkins in Dien Chau district; Market Management forces have seized many types of goods of unknown origin, poor quality goods, cosmetics, soft drinks, MSG, washing powder, and goods violating industrial property rights.

At the online conference, representatives of localities and forces frankly pointed out the limitations in the work of consulting, directing, inspecting and urging that have not met requirements; the effectiveness of arrest and handling work is not high.

The number of cases prosecuted for smuggling, illegal transportation of goods across borders and production and trading of counterfeit goods accounts for a small proportion compared to the results of the fight by the functional forces, leading to a lack of effective deterrence of crime. In addition, the determination and handling of responsibilities of the heads of the functional agencies where violations of smuggling and trade fraud occur have not been thoroughly implemented...

Destroying counterfeit and smuggled goods is one of the activities to create conditions for production development and protect consumer rights. Photo: Thu Huyen

In 2017, the National Steering Committee 389 determined the task of continuing to focus on closely following and effectively implementing the directions of the Government, the Prime Minister, and the Head of the National Steering Committee 389 on the fight against smuggling, trade fraud, and counterfeit goods. Strengthening information and propaganda work; mobilizing the masses to fight against smuggling, trade fraud, and counterfeit goods.

Ministries, local branches and forces deploy plans and measures to strengthen market inspection, combat smuggling and trade fraud; establish specialized projects and plans with focus and key points to organize and coordinate timely and effective arrests. In particular, it is necessary to pay special attention to strictly managing and controlling prohibited goods, counterfeit goods, intellectual property violations, goods that pose a risk to public health, etc.

Thu Huyen