Vietnam Intensifies Enforcement Against Counterfeit and IP-Infringing Goods
Recent enforcement activities by Customs authorities and the Market Surveillance Teams demonstrate Vietnam’s heightened focus on combating counterfeit goods and intellectual property infringements. The latest cases reveal both the scale and sophistication of infringing activities and reflect the authorities’ increasingly aggressive and coordinated enforcement approach.
Customs Authorities Uncover Major Cases Involving International Brands
According to the Customs Department, between 14 and 28 May 2026, customs authorities detected and handled four cases involving a total of 4,904 products suspected of trademark counterfeiting and IP infringement, together with 6,956 products failing to satisfy import requirements.
The infringing goods covered a broad range of products, including electronic accessories, toys and consumer products bearing signs of infringement of internationally recognized trademarks and copyrighted characters, such as Apple, Samsung, Anker, Timken, Spiderman, and Avengers. These cases highlight the increasingly diverse nature of infringing goods entering Vietnam and the continuing challenges faced by border enforcement authorities.
More Than 1,500 IP Infringement Cases Handled During Nationwide Campaign
The Market Surveillance authorities inspected 1,862 cases and handled 1,520 industrial property infringement cases, representing more than 40% of all violations detected. Administrative fines exceeded VND 15 billion, and infringing goods worth over VND 12 billion were seized. The number of IP infringement cases increased by 370.6%, while administrative penalties and the value of infringing goods rose by 314.8% and 827.5%, respectively, compared with the same period last year. Enforcement efforts also led to the referral of 24 cases for criminal investigation, with five resulting in criminal prosecution.
Most violations involved high-demand consumer products, particularly fashion items and accessories, which accounted for 70.3% of all seized goods, or nearly 79,000 items. Authorities also intercepted counterfeit products bearing signs of infringement of well-known brands, including Nike, Adidas, Chanel, Gucci, Apple, and Ralph Lauren.
Authorities also strengthened online enforcement, removing more than 9,130 infringing products from e-commerce platforms and blocking over 2,000 online stores involving counterfeit or IP-infringing goods.
Outlook
The recent statistics and high-profile cases underscore the increasingly complex nature of counterfeiting and IP infringements in Vietnam. At the same time, the significant increase in inspections, seizures and sanctions undertaken by Customs and the Market Surveillance authorities reflects Vietnam’s strengthened commitment to combating counterfeit goods and enhancing the protection of intellectual property rights in Vietnam. These developments indicate that IP enforcement has become a key priority for Vietnamese authorities in 2026.
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