Counterfeit trafficking rings are not only infiltrating traditional border crossings, but are also expanding their operations into cyberspace, e-commerce platforms, and express delivery services with increasingly sophisticated methods.

Authorities have simultaneously deployed operational measures, strengthening market inspections and monitoring of import and export activities in key areas and routes. Right from the first days of the intensified campaign against smuggling and intellectual property infringement, aimed at effectively implementing Prime Minister's Directive No. 38/CĐ-TTg dated May 5, 2026, on focusing on decisively implementing solutions to combat, prevent, and handle intellectual property infringement, customs and market management forces have continuously detected shipments of cosmetics and fashion products showing signs of counterfeiting famous brands.

Customs officials seized a large quantity of fashion products suspected of being counterfeit versions of major brands such as Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Nike, and Charles & Keith. Photo: HAI LINH

On May 8th, the Department of Domestic Market Management and Development conducted an inspection of the Phan Thi Hien business at 102 Nho Son Street, residential group 15, Tay Tuu Ward, Hanoi . During the inspection, the team discovered 464 fashion items, including shoes, sandals, bags, clothing, belts, hats, and socks, bearing counterfeit trademarks protected in Vietnam such as Nike, Adidas, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Burberry, Dior, Hermès, Puma, Lacoste, and Dolce & Gabbana. Previously, on May 7th, the Department of Domestic Market Management and Development also inspected the PHAM LUXU business at 27 Tay Son Street, Kim Lien Ward, Hanoi, and found 140 products bearing Burberry and Gucci trademarks with suspected counterfeiting.

Regarding the activities of the Customs force, in the first four months of 2026, the Customs force detected and handled 23 cases of intellectual property violations, with 11 cases recorded in January alone. The infringing goods ranged from high-end fashion items bearing the Dior, Louis Vuitton, and Adidas brands to electronic devices such as Apple and Seiko, along with many industrial goods, automotive components, and food products.

For example, on May 7th, the Northern Region Anti-Smuggling Control Team, in coordination with Huu Nghi Border Gate Customs, inspected suspicious transit shipments and discovered 10,508 cosmetic products suspected of infringing the intellectual property rights of several Korean brands, including: 4,500 tubes of Jula's Herb Carrot Aging serum, 608 bottles of Medicube serum, 200 tubes of Eucerin facial cleanser, 4,000 bottles of L'Oreal foundation, and 1,200 crossbody bags bearing the The North Face brand. Authorities also seized 4,350 fashion items, including belts, shoes, and handbags, suspected of being counterfeit versions of major brands such as Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Nike, and Charles & Keith.

Previously, on February 2nd, during the import procedures for a shipment of dried dates belonging to the Joint Stock Company of Nuts and Spices, the Saigon Port Customs Area I discovered that the shipment showed signs of infringing on the "Dates Sanwan" trademark – a trademark protected in Vietnam. The value of the infringing goods was determined to be nearly 2.3 billion VND.

According to the Customs Department's assessment, current "hot spots" for counterfeit goods are concentrated along the land borders between Vietnam and China, Vietnam and Laos, and Vietnam and Cambodia. In addition, many shipments of counterfeit and fake goods are transported through seaports and international airports, even disguised as parcels and express delivery packages to infiltrate the domestic market. Alarmingly, many domestic counterfeit production and distribution networks operate openly, especially on social media and e-commerce platforms. The main counterfeit items include cosmetics, medicines, dietary supplements, fashion items, electronics, tobacco products, and manufacturing materials. These are all product groups that directly impact people's health and consumer trust.

In the context of counterfeit goods increasingly infiltrating the supply chain, strengthening controls from the border to the domestic market is not only aimed at protecting legitimate businesses but also serves as a "shield" to protect public health and the reputation of Vietnam's investment and business environment.

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/kinh-te/cac-van-de/tang-toc-truy-quet-hang-gia-hang-nhai-1040622