“Double pressure”, many individual businesses close: Creating a healthy market

(Baothanhhoa.vn) - The peak campaign against counterfeit goods and goods of unknown origin is an urgent requirement, implemented under the direction of the Central Government to protect consumers and ensure a fair competitive environment, creating a healthy market. However, if implemented in the style of "sudden inspection, strict punishment" without preparation and propaganda, it will easily lead to panic, response, even "temporary shelter", closing stores and ceasing business.

Authorities are stepping up inspections of the origin of goods.

The fact that hundreds of stores in Thanh Hoa City simultaneously closed their doors at the same time that localities established working groups to launch a peak period of fighting, preventing and repelling smuggling, trade fraud, trading in counterfeit, fake and poor quality goods, and the tax sector launched a campaign to instruct households/individuals to declare taxes and use electronic invoices generated from cash registers has not only caused public confusion but also affected the exchange of goods and serving the needs of people in the area in recent days. According to our observations in Thanh Hoa City, many small traders closed their doors not because of violations, but because they were not sure whether their goods were subject to inspection or not, and if they did not have enough invoices, would they be fined? Ms. Le Thi Oanh, a small trader at Vuon Hoa market, Le Loi avenue, Thanh Hoa city, shared: "We have been doing retail business in the traditional way for a long time. Even though we have invoices and documents, they are definitely not complete. When the authorities check, confiscate and destroy the goods, we are left empty-handed. I hope that the authorities will soon have specific and detailed instructions so that we can clearly understand what is legal and what is illegal. Only then can we feel secure in importing goods and doing business long-term and legitimately."

Sharing the same concerns, many traders hope that if the authorities have measures to deal with goods of unknown origin, they must provide specific instructions and a roadmap for implementation. Ms. Nguyen Thi L, a trader at Nam Thanh market, suggested: "We hope that the authorities will guide us on how to get goods of unknown origin and prepare valid invoices and documents because we have been importing goods through many sources, sometimes very small."

On the part of the Market Management Boards, along with propaganda to help traders stabilize their mindset to do business, the Management Boards also proposed that the authorities thoroughly handle the fight against smuggling, trade fraud and counterfeit goods from the root. Mr. Le Viet Dang, Head of Tay Thanh Market Management Board, said: "The reason why small traders closed their shops is not entirely because of the quality of goods, but mainly because people are waiting for instructions to complete tax procedures. In addition, some small traders have temporarily suspended their business activities due to unverified information from social networks about the inspection content of interdisciplinary teams. Most of the closed businesses have temporarily suspended their business due to concerns about goods related to invoices and documents. Most of the goods are imported from large sources or through many intermediaries, so it is difficult to ensure sufficient valid documents, especially for small, traditional businesses. Small traders, with limited knowledge and business culture, also need time to propagate, explain, and approach step by step to integrate with current transparent business requirements. Currently, the Market Management Board is strengthening propaganda and disseminating information on many channels such as internal loudspeakers, small traders' zalo groups, social networks, etc. association... so that households can understand the policies and feel secure to return to normal business, serving the needs of the people".

Mr. Dinh Khanh Toan, Deputy Head of the Provincial Market Management Department, said: “We will grasp the situation and direct the market management teams to work directly with the market management board, to find out the reasons and reasons why households have stopped selling. At the same time, the market management sector will increase explanations so that people can clearly understand the current situation of the goods being traded, sign a commitment not to trade in counterfeit goods, and prepare full invoices and documents according to new regulations. Organizing inspection teams under the direction of the Government is aimed at protecting consumers and traders, and doing business in accordance with the law. The goal of the inspections is to aim for transparent and civilized business, not causing disruption. If businesses are doing business in accordance with the law, not trading in counterfeit, fake and poor quality goods, then businesses have nothing to worry about, just do business as usual.”

The representative of the Tax Department of Region X also affirmed that individuals/business households are a dynamic economic sector, contributing significantly to the State budget and creating jobs. Therefore, supporting business households is an important task that the Thanh Hoa tax sector always pays attention to with many suitable solutions, such as: many policies on tax exemption, reduction, extension, etc., in accordance with the motto "Taxpayers are the center of service". The application of electronic invoices from cash registers according to Decree 70/2025/ND-CP is a fundamental step in the roadmap to eliminate lump-sum taxes from 2026, in accordance with the direction of Resolution 68-NQ/TW. Currently, the Tax Department of Region X is directing its affiliated tax teams to strengthen, closely follow the grassroots, guide people to declare, grasp the accounting regime, invoices and tax obligations, and coordinate with technology solution providers to provide on-site support. The goal of applying electronic invoices from cash registers at business households is not only to improve budget collection efficiency, but also to create opportunities and motivation for sustainable, healthy and fair development for the private economic sector.

Stationery and school equipment store in Tan Phong town (Quang Xuong).

Launching a peak period to fight against smuggling, trade fraud and counterfeit goods is a major, correct and necessary policy, aiming to protect the rights of consumers, while creating a fair business environment for honest businesses. Therefore, people, especially individuals/businesses, need to improve their responsibility, comply with the law, only trade in goods with clear origins, ensure quality, food hygiene and safety, do not trade in counterfeit goods, poor quality goods, goods that infringe intellectual property rights. Reform cannot wait, especially in the context of a digitally transformed economy, with increasing demands for transparency. However, for the policy to be truly effective, it needs an implementation roadmap that is "soft", "deep" and "close" enough to reality. When the policy is understood correctly, implemented correctly and accompanied at the right time - businesses will no longer be afraid, but will proactively adapt, approach and develop. People's trust in the management apparatus will also be strengthened... Thereby, contributing to creating a healthy, fair and civilized market.

PV Group

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/ap-luc-kep-hang-loat-ho-kinh-doanh-ca-the-dong-cua-kien-tao-mot-thi-truong-lanh-manh-251192.htm