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| Vietnamese and foreign entities may face fines of up to VND 75 million for illegally transporting goods or currencies across national borders__Photo: https://laodong.vn |
Under Government Decree 79/2026/ND-CP dated March 18, 2026, on sanctions for administrative violations in the field of national border management and protection, the maximum fine of VND 75 million will also apply to repeat offenders who have previously been administratively sanctioned for similar acts that are not serious enough to warrant criminal liability.
For illegal cross-border transport of goods or currencies outside border-gate areas, fines will be determined based on the value of the exhibits. Specifically, a fine ranging from VND 1 million to VND 5 million will be imposed for exhibits valued at under VND 10 million. A fine of between VND 5 million and VND 10 million will apply to exhibits valued at between VND 10 million and VND 50 million. This penalty bracket will also apply to illegal cross-border transport of cultural products.
In addition to monetary fines, violators may be subject to supplementary sanctions, including confiscation of exhibits. In certain cases, competent authorities may order the destruction of goods harmful to human health, livestock, plants or the environment, as well as cultural products with harmful content. Violators may also be required to remit to the state budget an amount equivalent to the value of exhibits that have been illegally consumed, dispersed or destroyed.
The new decree further sets out sanctions for violations relating to the storage, purchase, sale, transport and exchange of goods in border areas. Failure to produce sufficient documentation proving the lawful origin of goods is subject to fines ranging from VND 1 million to VND 3 million, for goods valued at under VND 5 million, and from VND 3 million to VND 5 million, for goods valued at between VND 5 million and VND 10 million.
Notably, storing goods in improper locations may incur fines of between VND 10 million and VND 20 million. In addition, fines of up to VND 20 million will be imposed for transporting goods along unauthorised routes, through unapproved border gates or outside prescribed timeframes; arbitrarily breaking seals; or failing to maintain the original condition of goods under supervision, among other violations occurring outside customs operation areas.
For the arbitrary consumption of goods under the supervision of competent authorities, the fine ranges from VND 20 million to VND 30 million.
The decree also specifies the confiscation of infringing goods/items, except those with proven lawful origins. For goods on the list of those banned from or ineligible for export or import, the compelled destruction method may be applied.- (VLLF)
