Blatantly selling illegal fireworks through online "marketplaces"
Although there are only a few days left until the Lunar New Year 2025, illegal fireworks trading activities are still taking place on social media groups. Frequently posting advertisements in closed groups such as "Z21 Fireworks Wholesale and Retail Association", a social media account named Dang Minh Duc, receives many interactions because of its many unique products.
Notably, this person admitted that he was just a regular fireworks wholesaler, not a store licensed to sell fireworks according to regulations.
"My house is in Hoang Mai district, around this time of the 27th and 28th of Tet, I still have all kinds of fireworks such as: special 2024 pellet spray, 2024 flashing pellet spray, 50, 75, 10 types of fireworks (gifts).
I'm a trader, buying fireworks to sell wholesale, not a store. If you need to buy, let me know in advance, we only deliver to your door. Today is close to Tet so I call for shipping, the price will be more expensive and you will have to wait longer than usual, if you buy anything, choose early before it's gone", Duc urged.
Continue to contact to buy fireworks in closed groups such as "Z121 Tet Fireworks", "Z121 Fireworks Club", posing as a reporter buyer, was advertised by a person named Nhu Thao (who introduced her as having relatives working at Z121 company) selling many items at extremely preferential prices.
"The flower spray system, the market price is 600,000 VND/system, but my house only sells it for 450,000 VND/system, cash on delivery is accepted". However, when the reporter asked if an invoice could be issued, Ms. Thao said, "If you want a red invoice, you have to import in large quantities. If you buy only 10 systems, you cannot issue an invoice".
According to records, to increase customer interaction on the online "marketplace", although most of the fireworks are sold illegally, the social media accounts in the above-mentioned closed groups do not hesitate to take photos and videos of the warehouse and the process of burning fireworks to attract buyers.
Many people do not hesitate to leave their phone number for customers to contact.
Selling fireworks without a license is against the law.
According to lawyer Dang Van Cuong - Head of Chinh Phap Law Office, Hanoi Bar Association, "Organizations and individuals selling fireworks from Z121 factory on social networks without permission from competent state agencies are not in accordance with the provisions of the law. For licensed business establishments, they must comply with regulations on ensuring safety."
Currently, the law does not prohibit businesses from advertising and selling on e-commerce platforms or social networking platforms, so licensed businesses are allowed to advertise and sell on electronic platforms. As for organizations and individuals who are not licensed to sell this type of fireworks, they are not allowed to advertise and sell fireworks on the internet.
According to Clause 2, Article 14 of Decree 137/2020/ND-CP, fireworks business must ensure the following conditions:
a) Only organizations and enterprises under the Ministry of National Defense are allowed to trade in fireworks and must be granted a Certificate of eligibility for security and order by a competent police agency; ensure conditions for fire prevention, fire fighting, incident prevention and response, and environmental protection;
b) Warehouses, means of transport, equipment and tools serving the fireworks business must be suitable and ensure conditions for storage, transportation, fire prevention and fighting;
c) Managers and service personnel involved in fireworks business must be trained in safety techniques;
d) Only fireworks that meet technical standards and regulations may be traded.
