Recently, many traders in central markets of Thanh Hoa province such as Vuon Hoa market, Tay Thanh market and some retail businesses in Hoang Hoa (old), Quang Xuong (old), Nong Cong (old) districts have temporarily closed and stopped operating due to concerns about handling goods of unknown origin.
Responding at the regular press conference on July 10, Mr. Tran Duc Luong - Deputy Director of the Department of Industry and Trade of Thanh Hoa province - confirmed the above situation and said that the Department is coordinating with the Market Management Department, Tax authorities, and local authorities to encourage traders to return to normal business, ensuring a stable supply of goods to serve consumer demand.
"The Department's viewpoint is to create all favorable conditions for people to do business, but on the basis of complying with legal regulations. Goods must have a clear origin, ensure quality, and be sold at the listed price. As for counterfeit goods that are not of guaranteed quality, we will voluntarily mobilize them to hand over and destroy them according to regulations," Mr. Luong emphasized.
The authorities will continue to propagate and support traders in implementing the new tax policy, avoiding misunderstanding or confusion. In the immediate future, the Industry and Trade sector will prioritize guidance and propaganda work. "If any individual or organization intentionally violates, sells goods of unknown origin, counterfeit goods, or poor quality goods, the authorities will strictly handle them," said Mr. Luong.
According to research, recently, Thanh Hoa has tightened market management activities. In the first 6 months of the year, the Thanh Hoa Market Management Department discovered more than 400 violations of the trade of counterfeit goods, banned goods, and goods of unknown origin. The total amount of fines, confiscation, and destruction of goods violated in the province is estimated at nearly 10 billion VND.
Inspection and control work has also been stepped up on national highways, gateways to Thanh Hoa city, bus stations, and unit markets to prevent smuggled goods, counterfeit goods, and poor quality goods from being smuggled into the country. In addition, many campaigns to coordinate inspections of price listing and tax declaration are also being implemented in localities.
At Vuon Hoa market - where dozens of stalls have hung temporary holiday signs - many traders believe that due to small-scale trading and the lack of conditions to import goods through official distribution channels, they have difficulty when being required to provide full invoices and documents. Some people expressed their desire to be supported with declaration procedures and guidance on new regulations to stabilize business.
Thanh Hoa Industry and Trade Department recommends that traders should not panic, avoid listening to false rumors, and proactively review the origin of goods, supplement valid invoices and documents to ensure business in accordance with the law, and avoid being fined.
Currently, the authorities are continuing to coordinate to mobilize, inspect, guide, and strictly handle violations to protect consumer rights and stabilize the commodity market in Thanh Hoa province.
