Customs Revenue from Import-Export Activities Rises by 9% in 11 Months
On December 9, the Customs Authority announced that the state budget revenue from import-export activities for the first 11 months of 2025 reached 420.634 trillion VND, equivalent to 102.3% of the assigned estimate and 89.5% of the target, marking a 9% increase (or 34.607 trillion VND) compared to the same period in 2024.
However, the state budget revenue from import-export activities in November 2025 was only 39.118 trillion VND, a 9.6% decrease (or 4.146 trillion VND) from the previous month. The Customs Authority attributed this decline to the total import-export value in November 2025, which stood at 77.09 billion USD, a 5.4% drop (or 4.4 billion USD) compared to October.
Statistics reveal that the total import-export value for the first 11 months of 2025 reached 839.78 billion USD, a 17.2% increase (or 123.41 billion USD) year-on-year. Additionally, the total import-export value of foreign direct investment (FDI) enterprises hit 607.7 billion USD, surging by 25.5% (or 123.33 billion USD) compared to the same period last year.
The Customs Authority also highlighted the persistent complexity of smuggling, trade fraud, and illegal cross-border transportation. Notable trends include the illegal transportation of gold, currency, branded mobile phones, and counterfeit goods in transit from China through Vietnam to Laos and Cambodia.
These activities are concentrated along northern border routes (primarily at the Huu Nghi border gate), southern borders with Cambodia, and air routes via Noi Bai and Tan Son Nhat international airports. The misuse of transit, transshipment, and re-export procedures to transport counterfeit and intellectual property-infringing goods remains prevalent, particularly at border gates with China, Laos, and Cambodia.
Common tactics involve misdeclaration or non-declaration of protected trademarks, mixing illegal goods with legal ones, or exploiting simplified customs procedures for transit goods to avoid declaring trademarks.
From October 15 to November 14, 2025, customs authorities detected, seized, and processed 2,176 cases, a 30.6% increase (or 510 cases) year-on-year. The estimated value of seized goods was 2.199 trillion VND, with state budget revenue totaling 238.4 billion VND.
Smuggling Surge: The Rising Tide of Maritime Illicit Trade
According to the General Department of Customs under the Ministry of Finance, in November, maritime routes remained the hottest spot for smuggling and trade fraud, with over 1,300 violations detected, accounting for more than 60% of the total cases uncovered.
E-Marketplace Regulators to Scrutinize Every Online Stall for Counterfeit Products
Counterfeit goods, intellectual property infringements, and fake products currently carry a mere $11,000 fine for individuals and $22,000 for organizations, a penalty that falls woefully short of serving as a deterrent.
Mailisa Beauty Clinic Halts Operations Across Entire Network Starting November 28th
On the evening of November 27th, the official social media account of Mailisa Beauty Clinic, boasting over 2.8 million followers, announced a temporary suspension of all operations starting November 28th. The statement conveyed a difficult decision and apologized to customers, without disclosing the reason or a return date.
Optimizing Budget Allocation for Preferential Credit Programs
The draft decree on the interest rate subsidy mechanism is being finalized by the Ministry of Finance, aiming to standardize and unify the process. This initiative seeks to integrate interest rate support activities into the framework of public investment, establishing a more transparent and sustainable legal foundation.
Unveiling the Billion-Dollar Black Market: Mailisa’s Illegal Cosmetics Smuggling Ring from China Exposed
Mailisa, also known as Phan Thị Mai, and her husband, Hoà ng Kim Khánh, have built a lucrative business by sourcing inexpensive cosmetics from China and smuggling them into Vietnam, generating profits in the billions of dong.
