Ordering branded goods: verify origin and usage rights before approving samples
Product images and claims of “genuine goods” should be checked against documentation. A review step before ordering helps prevent trademark issues from affecting an entire commercial shipment.
A note from market control activities
A Ministry of Industry and Trade bulletin dated June 8, 2026, on Lang Son stated that intellectual property rights inspections were conducted at points of sale, warehouses, and in e-commerce environments, with coordination among competent authorities and rights holders. This provides context for the preparation guide below; it is not an announcement of a new regulation in October.
Review the product, packaging, and accessories together
Editorial recommendation: when approving samples, request clear photos of every side of the goods, retail boxes, hang tags, and accompanying accessories. Record any text, logos, or brand images that will appear on the delivered goods. A listing image with the logo obscured does not indicate the actual version that will be packed into cartons.
If ordering products under a private label, agree on the final design file, print placement, and the person authorized to approve it. Ask the supplier to confirm that it will not independently replace labels, add images, or use packaging from other products when delivering a bulk shipment.
Match documentation with the actual seller
1. Record the seller’s legal entity name, the information on the quotation, and the entity receiving payment. Where these names differ, request an explanation of their relationship and retain supporting documents before proceeding to the purchasing approval stage.
2. Request documents regarding the source of goods and the right to use or distribute the trademark, where relevant. Review the product scope, territory, term, and granting party; a document bearing a brand name is not sufficient to confirm every product code sold by the seller.
3. Refer unclear points to an intellectual property specialist or an authorized verification contact. Preserve the evidence received, mark unresolved questions, and avoid editing images or reinterpreting documents as broader confirmation.
When should a purchasing decision be put on hold?
If a sample shows signs requiring clarification but the seller cannot yet explain them, you may temporarily hold approval of that product code while continuing to review other parts of the order. This is a purchasing management recommendation, not a conclusion that any goods are counterfeit or that any business has committed an infringement.
Images, invoices, or a single authorization letter do not replace a complete legal assessment. The purpose of the checklist is to create a consistent set of information for authorized personnel to review before obligations to purchase, import, and distribute arise.