BOC confiscates 2 shipments of counterfeit bags, clothes

MANILA, Philippines - The Bureau of Customs  seized yesterday two shipments of counterfeit  bags and clothes with an estimated value of over P556 million.

The goods, which included class A bags and clothing bearing foreign brands,  were seized at the Manila International Container Port (MICP), the country’s busiest and major ports,. 

The first shipment arrived last March via  a 20-foot container van from China.  Consigned to Bangladesh Business Corp., the container van was  subject of an alert order from the BOC’s Enforcement Group.

While the consignee declared that the importation consisted of unbranded T-shirts, cargo short pants, leggings and plastic slippers,” the  examination conducted by the BOC  revealed almost 5,000 pieces of faked apparel labeled with brands such as “Nike,” “Adidas,” “US Polo,” “Lee,” “Aeropostale” and “H&M.”

The second shipment, a 40-foot container van  also from China, was consigned to NSGV Trading and was declared to contain assorted women’s blouses, polyester cotton fabric, polyester women’s pants, jackets, coats and scarves; board paper, ladies’ canvas shoes, PVC flooring; assorted plastic cases; belts and caps, and skateboards.

However, the proprietor of the said firm denied ownership of the shipment, prompting customs authorities to subject the shipment to an alert order and subsequent 100 percent inspection.

Physical examination found over 15,960 assorted undeclared items, many of which were counterfeit or “Class A” luxury bag models like the “Hermes Evelyne” and “Hermes Lindy; “Ralph Lauren Ricky”; “Tory Burch Ella” tote; “Prada Saffiano Lux” tote; “Celine Phantom”; “Michael Kors Selma” satchel and “Michael Kors Jet Set” tote and the “Burberry Susana” hobo tote.

Also found were fake “Fitflop Fleur” sandals’ “Lacoste” wallets and tote bags; “Ray-Ban” eyewear; as well as clothing and footwear bearing brands “Onesimus” and “Una Rosa.”

Both shipments will be subjected to seizure and forfeiture proceedings, after which the seized fake goods will be destroyed. Customs authorities have also coordinated with the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines to alert the brand owners.

The consignees and their customs brokers are also under investigation for smuggling-related cases as well as violation of RA 8293, or the Intellectual Property (IP) Code of the Philippines.