Strengthening market inspection and control during the Lunar New Year 2023

Preventing counterfeit goods in e-commerce environment

Mr. Nguyen Van Huong - Director of the Market Management Department (QLTT) of Nghe An said: In 2022, production and trading activities of goods and services in Nghe An will return to normal on the path of recovery after the Covid-19 pandemic. Business activitiessmuggled goods, counterfeit goods, commercial fraud, poor quality goods, still occur in the market. Notably, activities that take advantage of e-commerce, social networking sites Facebook, Zalo... to trade in smuggled goods, goods that infringe intellectual property rights, and goods of unknown origin.

Nghe An Market Management Department inspects infringing goods in Vinh City. Photo: Van Truong

Identifying the fight against smuggling, trade fraud and counterfeit goods as an important political task, in 2022,Nghe An Market Management Departmenthas effectively implemented directives, plans, and guiding documents of the Government, Prime Minister, National Steering Committee 389, Ministry of Industry and Trade, General Department of Market Management, and Provincial People's Committee, creating positive changes in the fight against smuggling, counterfeit goods, and trade fraud.

In particular, Market Management Team No. 11 has been directed to investigate and handle many violations in the field of e-commerce. At first, it was very difficult to determine the exact addresses of violators, because the e-commerce business model through social networks does not require premises or business locations.

The authorities have encountered many difficulties in identifying and retrieving seller information and data. With great determination, since the beginning of 2022, Market Management Team No. 11 has investigated and handled 89 e-commerce violations, with a total fine of nearly 1.6 billion VND.

Typically, on July 6, 2022, Market Management Team No. 11 coordinated with the Economic Security Department (Provincial Police) to suddenly inspect a clothing business owned by Ms. NTL, located in Thanh Huong Commune, Thanh Chuong District. At the time of inspection, Ms. L.'s business was operating Facebook accounts "AT Warehouse; AT Store" to conduct livestreaming, sales, and order closing activities via social networks. Through inspection, the team discovered that the store was selling 2,100 sets of clothing of unknown origin.

On September 30, 2022, Market Management Team No. 11 coordinated with functional forces to search the objects, which were 02 foam boxes of Mr. Vo Van Linh, residing in Tan Thanh commune, Yen Thanh district, and discovered that the objects contained 57 kg of foreign-made fireworks without invoices, documents, or related papers proving legal origin.

On November 26, 2021, Market Management Team No. 11 coordinated with Dien Chau District Police to inspect Thai Thi Luong business household in Hamlet 2, Minh Chau Commune, Dien Chau District. Through the inspection, the Inspection Team discovered that the business establishment was selling 2,000 pairs of fake HERMES brand sandals and was fined over 27 million VND...

Market Management Team No. 5 coordinated with the Economic Drug Crime Police Team - Tan Ky District Police to discover a sack containing 25 kg of firecrackers. All confiscated evidence was transferred to Tan Ky District Police. Photo: Van Truong

Results of handling some common groups of violations: Handling firecrackers, the Market Management Department transferred 2 cases to the Police, with 82 kg of firecrackers, worth 180 million VND, prosecuting 1 case/1 subject. Regarding e-commerce,Detected and handled 22 violations with a total value of 450 million VND.

Handling 248 cases of food safety violations, with total fines reaching 1 billion 179 million VND. Handling violations of counterfeit goods and fake product labels, during the year handled 32 cases of violations, with total fines of 503.76 million VND.

Launching a peak period of fighting against smuggling and trade fraud during the holidaybefore, during and after Tet

Mr. Nguyen Van Huong - Director of Nghe An Market Management Department added: In the last days of the year, especially during the Lunar New Year 2023, people's demand for purchasing goods increases. Therefore, many subjects will take advantage of this situation to commit fraudulent acts in business and trading.poor quality goods, counterfeit goodsto profit illegally.

To ensure the rights of consumers, and effectively prevent the production, trade, transportation, and business of prohibited goods, smuggled goods, counterfeit goods, poor quality goods, and goods that do not ensure food safety; acts of commercial fraud, speculation, hoarding, and illegal price increases.

Nghe An Market Management Department inspects and destroys infringing goods in Vinh City. Photo: Van Truong

Accordingly, Nghe An Market Management Department directed Market Management Teams to focus on implementing Plan No. 10/KH-TCQLTT dated November 7, 2022 of the General Department of Market Management on the peak of anti-smuggling, trade fraud and counterfeit goods in the last months of 2022, before, during and after the Lunar New Year of Quy Mao 2023.

Accordingly, on the basis of developing inspection plans and strategies for each specific topic, field, and key area, closely coordinate with functional forces to strengthen inspection and control of production and business establishments.

Specifically, focus on checking and controlling essential goods with high consumer demand at the end of the year such as: Electronics, refrigeration, clothes, shoes, sandals, confectionery, sugar, beer, wine, soft drinks, animals and animal products... Check the implementation of legal regulations on prices, price posting and selling at listed prices...

Nghe An Market Management Department, Economic Security Department - Provincial Police, inspecting cases of illegal goods in Vinh City. Photo: Van Truong

Do a good job of infiltrating bases, grasp market developments, methods and tricks of smuggled goods traders to promptly develop plans to inspect and handle violations.

Closely coordinate with functional forces and local authorities in the fight against smuggling, trade fraud and counterfeit goods; effectively implement the coordination regulations signed between the forces. Promote information exchange with businesses and industry associations to inspect and handle counterfeit and infringing goods.intellectual property rightseffective

Strengthen internal inspection to promptly correct professional errors in the process of market inspection and control and strictly handle violations; promptly commend individuals and units with achievements.