HCMC – Vietnam’s customs detected 11,912 cases of smuggling, trade fraud, and illegal cross-border goods transportation between December 15, 2024, and August 14, 2025, with an estimated value of VND16.15 trillion, according to the General Department of Vietnam Customs.
Authorities launched criminal proceedings for 14 cases and transferred 76 others to relevant agencies.
Between July 15 and August 14 alone, customs authorities handled 1,561 violations, down 10.2% from a year earlier. Despite the drop in case numbers, the total value of confiscated goods surged to VND1.05 trillion.
Maritime routes accounted for more than half of these cases, with 823 violations, or 52.7% of the total. Cat Lai, Cai Mep, Dinh Vu, Tan Vu, and other major ports continued to see frequent violations. Most cases involved non-compliance with import standards, technical regulations, or labeling rules.
Land borders were another focal point, with 531 cases representing 34% of the total. Smugglers targeted the Vietnam-China and Vietnam-Cambodia border areas, taking advantage of trade facilitation policies and border-resident incentives. Confiscated items included foreign currency, tobacco, mobile phones, frozen food, and nitrous oxide (N2O) canisters.
The illegal trade of fireworks, refined sugar, pesticides, and growth stimulants remained active in central provinces and along the Vietnam-Laos border.
Eighty violations were recorded via air routes, accounting for just over 5% of cases. The total value of seized goods reached VND81.2 billion, down sharply from the same period last year.
Authorities warned that smugglers are increasingly using complex methods, such as fake identities, unclear addresses, and third-party recipients to avoid detection. Many shipments were disguised as non-commercial goods or sent through international courier services like FedEx, DHL, and UPS.
Other transport channels, including railways, waterways, and postal services, accounted for 127 cases in the same period.
From July 15 to August 14, customs officials, in coordination with police and border guards, intercepted 12 drug trafficking operations involving 19 suspects. A total of 158 kilograms of narcotics, including heroin, ketamine, and synthetic drugs, were seized.
In the first eight months of the reporting period, authorities handled 137 drug-related cases, arrested 172 individuals, and confiscated 2.26 metric tons of narcotics.
The customs department said smuggling and cross-border trafficking remain significant challenges, requiring stronger monitoring and closer coordination among law enforcement agencies.
