How Fraudulent ‘Made in Vietnam’ Imports Are Duping American Shoppers
Many products labeled ‘Made in Vietnam’ in U.S. stores are actually from China—fooling shoppers and dodging tariffs. This sneaky switch costs billions and hurts honest businesses.
Common Scams:
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Fake Footwear: “Vietnamese” sneakers made in Chinese factories.
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Counterfeit Electronics: Phones and tablets with forged certificates.
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Mislabeled Seafood: Shrimp repackaged to avoid tariffs.
How It Happens:
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Label Switching: Chinese goods relabeled during transit.
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Shell Companies: Fake Vietnamese firms issue false paperwork.
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Bribed Inspectors: $3M in bribes uncovered in 2024.
What’s Being Done?
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U.S. Customs: Scanning more shipments with AI.
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Retailer Crackdowns: Walmart, Amazon tightening supplier checks.
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Consumer Tips: How to spot fake “Made in Vietnam” tags.
“This isn’t just about tariffs—it’s about consumer trust,” said Laura Murphy, a trade lawyer at Akin Gump. “Americans think they’re avoiding Chinese goods, but the labels lie.”
