Lao Cai (VNA) – Authorities in the northern border province of Lao Cai have uncovered and dealt with 1,221 cases involving smuggling, commercial fraud and counterfeit goods since the start of 2026, a 26.53% increase from a year earlier, according to the provincial steering committee for combating smuggling, commercial fraud, and counterfeit goods (Steering Committee 39).
Among the cases were 367 involving the illegal trade and transport of prohibited or smuggled goods, 692 related to commercial and tax fraud, and 162 concerning counterfeit products, imitation goods and intellectual property infringements. Criminal proceedings were launched in 231 cases, with 406 suspects facing criminal proceedings, while 957 cases were settled through administrative penalties.
Revenue collected for the state budget from fines and related sanctions reached 18.72 billion VND (713,000 USD), up 39.39% year-on-year.
With smuggling and trade-related offences becoming increasingly sophisticated, the provincial Steering Committee 389 has directed agencies and local authorities to intensify inspections and market surveillance at border gates, border areas, major transport routes and inland markets. Police, customs, border guards, market surveillance forces and tax authorities have maintained close coordination to improve the detection and handling of violations.
Tran Phu Cuong, Deputy Head of Customs Sub-Department Region 5, said customs officers regularly gather and analyse intelligence, strengthen inspections and work closely with other agencies to promptly detect, prevent and handle violations. The unit has identified key routes, areas and sectors for targeted operations against smuggling, commercial fraud, drug and precursor trafficking, intellectual property violations, origin fraud and illegal transshipment, while enhancing customs control measures at border gates and along border routes.
Alongside border controls, authorities have increased checks in the domestic market, focusing on essential goods such as food, cosmetics, fertilisers, pesticides and consumer products, as well as business activities conducted through e-commerce platforms.
Do Du Bac, head of the Lao Cai Market Surveillance Sub-Department, said the agency has instructed its teams to closely monitor market developments, implement inspection plans issued by central and provincial authorities, and intensify the fight against smuggling, trade fraud, counterfeit goods, intellectual property infringements and violations in e-commerce. Special attention has been paid to food safety and goods of unknown origin in order to protect consumers and ensure fair competition.
According to the provincial Steering Committee 389, the rapid expansion of e-commerce and logistics services has led offenders to adopt new tactics. While smuggled goods were once transported mainly through trails and informal border crossings, many are now sold through online marketplaces, social media and express delivery services. Some offenders operate multiple accounts and have no fixed business premises, making enforcement more challenging.
Authorities also warned that false declarations of goods, quantities and origins, abuse of preferential policies for border residents, and fraud involving labels and intellectual property continue to pose significant challenges.
In the remaining months of 2026, Lao Cai will launch additional high-intensity campaigns targeting smuggling, commercial fraud and counterfeit goods. Inspections will focus on border gates, major transport routes, warehouses, logistics centres and digital business activities, while public awareness campaigns will be expanded to encourage businesses and residents to comply with the law and reject the trading and distribution of counterfeit and untraceable goods./.
