Combating counterfeit goods in e-commerce: Tightening controls to protect consumers.

Combating counterfeit goods in e-commerce: Tightening controls, protecting consumers - Image 1.

In the context of the booming e-commerce market, alongside the opportunities for growth come significant challenges in market management, especially the problem of counterfeit and substandard goods and intellectual property infringement. - Illustration

According to the report, from December 15, 2024 to June 14, 2025, market management forces inspected 11,568 cases, handled 9,919 violations, and collected 141 billion VND for the state budget out of a total of 266 billion VND in administrative fines, including 121 billion VND in fines and 145 billion VND in value of infringing goods. 76 cases with signs of criminal activity were transferred to the investigative agency. The e-commerce sector continued to be a hot spot with 161 violations detected, resulting in nearly 3 billion VND in fines and over 1 billion VND in value of infringing goods.

In reality, offenders are increasingly using sophisticated methods, exploiting digital platforms, express delivery services, and changing trade policies to evade inspection by authorities. Notably, many counterfeit goods directly affect consumer health, such as dietary supplements, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, powdered milk, and cooking oil.

Recently, Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien signed Decision No. 1825/QD-BCT of 2025 to implement the Prime Minister's directives in Directive No. 13/CT-TTg and Telegram No. 82/CD-TTg on strengthening the prevention and control of smuggling, trade fraud, and counterfeit goods. This decision aims to innovate thinking and awareness, improve the effectiveness of task implementation, and requires strong involvement from all levels of government, relevant agencies, the business community, and the people.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade clearly states that every day is a peak period for market inspection and control. There should be no gaps in state management; inter-agency and surprise inspections should be strengthened in key areas and sectors, especially in the e-commerce environment.

According to Mr. Nguyen Thanh Binh, Deputy Director of the Department of Domestic Market Management and Development (Ministry of Industry and Trade), violators are now using increasingly sophisticated methods to evade law enforcement.

Therefore, in the coming period, the unit will strengthen market inspection and control, not only in the e-commerce environment but also directly at points of sale for counterfeit goods and goods of unknown origin. At the same time, it will recommend that ministries and agencies, according to their assigned functions and duties, along with the People's Committees of provinces and cities, direct local functional forces to coordinate closely and strictly handle violations in accordance with the law.

Mr. Binh added that regarding the application of IT in detecting counterfeit goods, the Department is implementing a project to build a product traceability platform, initially applying it to some items under the management of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, such as industrial goods like textiles, footwear, and electronics.

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Binh affirmed that, immediately after the peak month, the Department will continue to vigorously implement inspection activities related to food safety, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and functional foods. Coordination with relevant authorities will be maintained regularly to strictly control and severely punish violations.

Regarding policy, the Department has proposed amending Decree 98/2020/ND-CP, which increases administrative penalties for violations related to the trading of counterfeit and prohibited goods, especially violations concerning food and pharmaceutical safety. The penalties are expected to double compared to the current levels, and criminal prosecution will be considered for serious violations that affect public health.

Regarding the fight against counterfeit goods and intellectual property infringement on e-commerce platforms, Mr. Tran Huu Linh, Director of the Department of Domestic Market Management and Development, emphasized that to effectively prevent violations, in recent years, market management forces nationwide have been aggressively implementing the Project on Combating Counterfeit Goods and Protecting Consumers on E-commerce until 2025 (Project 319). In addition, the Department of Domestic Market Management and Development has invited platforms such as Shopee and Lazada to sign commitments to cooperate in controlling product quality.

In the coming period, the force will continue to strengthen information exchange with industry associations and businesses to improve the effectiveness of inspecting and handling counterfeit goods and intellectual property violations, especially in the e-commerce environment. In addition to market inspection and control, the force will also apply technology and utilize specialized software currently being deployed to scan and detect violations from sellers.

In particular, Mr. Tran Huu Linh emphasized that the highest goal of the fight against counterfeit goods in cyberspace is to build a healthy business environment, create incentives for businesses to produce and trade, and protect the rights and interests of consumers. Combating counterfeit goods in e-commerce will continue to be a priority task in the coming period.

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