Heavy fines for selling publications without the origin invoices in Vietnam

Heavy fines for selling publications without the origin invoices in Vietnam (Illustration image)

Article 29 of Decree 119/2020/ND-CP stipulates the fine levels for violations related to the storage and distribution of publications in Vietnam as follows:

- A fine of VND 3,000,000 to 5,000,000 for one of the following acts:

- Distributing publications without invoices, documents, or materials showing legal origin, or illegally distributing publications that are printed under contract for foreign entities within the territory of Vietnam with a quantity of fewer than 50 copies for each title of publication;

- Selling publications that are not for business purposes for each title of publication;

- Storing or selling finished or semi-finished publications without invoices, documents, or materials showing legal origin with a quantity of fewer than 50 copies for each title of publication.

- A fine of VND 5,000,000 to 10,000,000 for one of the following acts:

- Distributing publications without invoices, documents, or materials showing legal origin, or illegally distributing publications that are printed under contract for foreign entities within the territory of Vietnam with a quantity from 50 to fewer than 100 copies for each title of publication;

- Failing to notify the state management agency about publishing when changing the type of organization or head of the distribution establishment or changing the headquarters location, branch location, or business location within the same province or centrally-affiliated city;

- Failing to re-register the distribution activities of publications when moving the headquarters or branch to another province or centrally-affiliated city; establishing or dissolving a branch within the same province or centrally-affiliated city where the headquarters is located; establishing or dissolving a branch in the province or centrally-affiliated city where the headquarters is not located;

- Storing or selling finished or semi-finished publications without invoices, documents, or materials showing legal origin with a quantity from 50 to fewer than 100 copies for each title of publication.

- A fine of VND 10,000,000 to 15,000,000 for one of the following acts:

- Distributing publications without invoices, documents, or materials showing legal origin, or illegally distributing publications that are printed under contract for foreign entities within the territory of Vietnam with a quantity from 100 to fewer than 300 copies for each title of publication;

- Conducting distribution activities of publications without being granted an activity registration certificate by the competent state agency or without ensuring sufficient operational conditions for the distribution establishment;

- Storing or selling finished or semi-finished publications without invoices, documents, or materials showing legal origin with a quantity from 100 to fewer than 300 copies for each title of publication.

More details can be found in Decree 119/2020/ND-CP, which comes into force in Vietnam from December 1, 2020.

Le Vy

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