A customs department anti-smuggling task force seized 450 fake Rolex watches during an inspection Tuesday at Tra Linh in Cao Bang Province on the Chinese border.
In an impressive show of vigilance, customs officials intercepted the counterfeit luxury watches packed in a container that claimed to hold 24 tons of various consumer goods.
.Alongside the counterfeit Rolexes, officers discovered a trove of undeclared merchandise including cosmetics, lighters, power banks, bras, and car lights, each packaged more mysteriously than a magician’s best trick.
The business behind the shipping was unable to furnish any documentation proving legal ownership of the watches, further raising suspicions. A representative from Rolex estimated that if these watches had been real, their value would have soared to approximately VND45 billion (US$1.7 million). The investigation is ongoing, hinting at a deeper web of intrigue.
This seizure marks a notable uptick in smuggling incidents at the border, with officials reporting five similar cases within the first half of June. Among the contraband were over 5,700 counterfeit clothing items, bags, and athletic shoes donning well-known names like Tommy Hilfiger, Celine, Nike, Louis Vuitton, Lacoste, Adidas, and New Balance, according to Tuoi Tre newspaper.
Authorities also came across numerous undeclared goods falsely labeled as made in Vietnam, showing a clear pattern of misrepresentation.
As part of a wider crackdown over the past month, market authorities nationwide have intensified their efforts against smuggling, commercial fraud, and counterfeit goods. Since May 15, they have uncovered over 3,100 violations, imposing fines totaling more than VND32 billion. Notably, violations of intellectual property rights accounted for around 52% of these cases, leading to fines of VND16 billion, while smuggling accounted for 648 cases and over VND6 billion in fines.
With the battle against fake goods heating up, one wonders if the next luxury watch in your collection might just be a “watch out!” moment.
What was seized at the border this week?
450 counterfeit Rolex watches were intercepted during a customs inspection.
What other goods were found with the counterfeit watches?
Numerous undeclared items were discovered, including cosmetics, lighters, power banks, bras, and car lights.
How have authorities responded to smuggling and counterfeit goods recently?
Authorities nationwide have ramped up efforts against smuggling and fake goods, uncovering over 3,100 cases of violations and imposing fines exceeding VND32 billion since mid-May.
