Vietnam launches Lunar New Year crackdown on smuggling and counterfeit goods

Vietnam’s Standing Deputy Prime Minister Phạm Gia Túc signed Decision No. 186, launching a campaign against smuggling, commercial fraud, counterfeit goods and intellectual property infringement around the 2027 Lunar New Year. The campaign will run from November 12, 2026, to February 28, 2027, with ministries and local authorities required to develop and carry out inspection plans within their areas of responsibility.

Authorities conduct patrols and inspect goods.（VietVance）

The plan calls for tighter inspections at road, rail, inland waterway, seaport and airport border crossings, as well as along border trails, at goods collection points, in domestic markets and online. Priority targets include prohibited goods, counterfeit and substandard products, goods that infringe intellectual property rights, goods subject to import or export conditions, high-tax goods and essential goods needed for production, business and consumption.

At year-end and during the Lunar New Year, regulators will also increase market inspections of goods in high demand and monitor business activity on e-commerce platforms, social media and digital applications. Customs, tax, market surveillance and e-commerce officials will receive training to improve their ability to identify related violations; cases showing signs of criminal activity must be referred to the police for investigation in accordance with the law.

The Finance Ministry has been instructed to direct customs authorities to strengthen information gathering and on-site oversight, and tax authorities to inspect the business activities of organizations and individuals that pay tax. Tax inspections will focus on commercial fraud, tax evasion and invoice use in potentially high-risk sectors, with particular attention to tax administration for businesses operating on e-commerce and other digital platforms.

Source: VietVance