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.”
