Authorities seize containers of smuggled air-conditioners and other electronic goods in HCM City. Police detected nearly 169,000 violations in the first nine months of this year. — VNA/VNS Photo Manh Linh

HA NOI (Biz Hub) — The war against smuggling, trade fraud and counterfeit goods will be enhanced in the months ahead of Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday.

This was announced at a press conference by the National Steering Committee on Combatting Smuggling, Commercial Fraud and Counterfeit Goods yesterday to summarise results in the first nine months of this year and raise solutions for the rest of the year.

Statistics of the committee, also known as the National Steering Committee 389, revealed at the conference that in the first nine months of this year nearly 169,000 violation cases were detected and investigated, while criminal prosecution was initiated in more than 1,000 cases.

More than VND10 trillion (US$446.5 million) came into the State budget as fines, up 3.4 per cent over the same period last year.

This was the result of combined efforts by the customs and tax departments, the market watch and the marine police.

According to Deputy Director of the General Department of Customs, Nguyen Van Can, smuggling and trade frauds across the border were becoming increasingly sophisticated.

Smuggled products varied from meat, animals, wood, and tobacco, in addition to sugar, petrol, electronic products and drugs, while in the domestic market, counterfeit and low-quality products and those of unclear origins were still inundating many localities.

The committee would reinforce the fights against smuggling, trade frauds and counterfeit goods in the months ahead of Tet when there was a rising demand for such goods in the market, it said.

In addition, it was essential to enhance the society's awareness of tackling smuggling and trade frauds. — VNS