BOC seizes P11B worth of fake goods in Binondo

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Friday said its Intellectual Property Rights Division (IPRD) seized counterfeit goods worth approximately P11 billion in Binondo, Manila.

The seized counterfeit items were imitations of popular brands such as Gucci, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Nike, Rolex, Apple, Hermes, and Dior.

The fake products were confiscated during an operation in Binondo last June 14, 2024. 

The BOC said the owners of the seized goods were given a 15-day period to provide proof of payment of correct duties and taxes and evidence of legitimate importation thereof, which lapsed on June 28, 2024. 

The Customs said a Warrant of Seizure and Detention (WSD) was issued against the subject counterfeit goods pursuant to Sections 214 and 1113 of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act in relation to R.A. No. 8293, also known as the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines “for failure to present the required documents.”

The BOC, through its IPRD, coordinated with brand owners to confirm that the seized items were counterfeit and infringed upon their intellectual property rights.

The counterfeit goods will be destroyed through shredding and rendering at facilities accredited by the BOC, ensuring these illegal products are permanently removed from circulation and preventing further harm to the economic and proprietary of legitimate brands owners, not to mention the innocent public consumers.

"Counterfeit goods undermine legitimate businesses, leading to financial losses and weaken consumer trust,” said Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio.

“They also present health and environmental hazards and damage brands by associating them with subpar quality materials. Therefore, we remain steadfast in our efforts to combat intellectual property rights infringements,” said Rubio.

For his part, Customs Deputy Commissioner Juvymax Uy of the BOC Intelligence Group said, “We will not tolerate any form of counterfeiting.”

"This successful operation sends a clear message to counterfeiters that we are committed to upholding the law and protecting our markets,” said Uy.—AOL, GMA Integrated News