Preventing counterfeit goods from China

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Thousands of counterfeit goods with famous brands were seized by Customs at Cat Lai. Photo: T.H

Thousands of couterfeit goods of famous brands

On July 3th 2017, the Anti-Smuggling Enforcement and IPR Protection Enforcement Unit (Unit 4) under Anti-Smuggling and Investigation Department-General Department of Vietnam Customs continued to collaborate with Sai Gon Seaport, zone 1 Customs Branch to inspect the suspicious containers in transit from China via Cat Lai Port (Ho Chi Minh City) to Cambodia.

Previously, on June 21st 2017, the Anti-Smuggling and Investigation Department coordinated with the Saigon Seaport, Zone 1 Customs Branch to inspect a 40 feet-container of which independent transport declaration No.500089082920 opened by Viet Tran Trading Import Export Services and Tourist Co., Ltd (Tax code 0303310272) on June 16th 2017 at the Saigon Seaport Zone 1 Customs Branch. The shipment was transported from Guangzhou - China via Cat Lai Port- Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam to Cambodia.

According to the inspection result, many counterfeit goods with famous trademarks were registered for border control and protection of intellectual property rights in Vietnam, including: Over 21,000 of clothes of Adidas, Nike, Puma brand; Over 1,000 pairs of Converse shoes; hundreds of handbags, iPhone and iPads accessories. Besides, 4,000 packets of cigarettes Juangha -China brand must be licensed for transited goods.

Then, on June 29th 2017, inspecting the shipment of Anh Khoa Transport Service Co., Ltd, the Customs forces detected a large amount of clothes, shoes, fashion accessories, handbags, Phone parts with famous brands such as Adidas, Gucci, Chanel, Hermes. According to Customs' observation, although the counterfeit shipments were transported from China to Vietnam, some products were labeled “Made in Viet Nam”.

Thousands of fake products with famous brand were seized by Customs at Cat Lai Port. Photo: T.H

Inspections are expanded

From the above actual situation, the leader of the General Department of Vietnam Customs required the directors of the Provincial and municipal Customs Departments such as: Ho Chi Minh City, Tay Ninh, Quang Binh, Ha Tinh and Lang Son to implement physical examination for all shipments in transit from China via Vietnam, which have been opened declarations or have not yet been opened declarations at border gates and the shipments which are being transported to the border gates and assigned the Anti-Smuggling and Investigation Department to develop plans and coordinate with units to inspect and handle infringing shipments.

Implementing the direction of the leader of the General Dapartment of Vietnam Customs, on June 27th, 2017, at the Xa Mat-Tay Ninh border gate, Unit 4 of the Anti-Smuggling and Investigation Department implemented physical inspection for a 20-feet container which declared by Viet Tran Trading Import Export Services and Tourist Co., Ltd at the Saigon Seaport, Zone 1 Customs Branch being transported to Xa Mat Border Gate and detected many infringing goods. According to the declaration, the shipment included 456 boxes of printers and printer accessories originated from Hong Kong and 100% new. Besides, scanners, multi-function printer of Canon, HP, EPSON brand originated fromVietnam, China, Korean and Philippines were also detected.

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At the Huu Nghi-Lang Son border gate, the Anti-Smuggling and Investigation Department collaborated with Huu Nghi Customs Branch- Lang Son Customs Department to inspect 17 containers. As a result, the Customs detected 2 containers including handbags of Gucci, Coach, COGCI brand (made in China); fake Louis Vuitton handbags; handbags without label, trademark enclosing H shaped -wallets and wallet keys which were suspected as infringing intellectual property rights of Hermes brand. The goods without Customs declarations included: 12 cans of solvent ink for printer, 300 cartons of whitening milk, 6 boxes of Fri Gold milk powder. Currently, all goods in transitted containers have been cleared, except for some infringing goods which have been issued custody decisions for handling according to the provisions of law.

In the first half of 2017, the production and business of counterfeit goods, goods that infringe intellectual property rights not only appeared in markets and trade centers in large cities but also in rural markets. Illegal transport of counterfeit goods which manufactured in home country and abroad with sophisticated techniques which are difficult to detect through trails or official trade to Vietnam for consumption is a big challenge for state management agencies, causes losses for genuine production enterprises and consumers - Mr. Phan Hoan Kiem, Deputy Director of the Industry and Trade Department cum Head of the HCM City Market Management Branch said.