BOC seizes P240M worth of counterfeit goods in Subic port

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Saturday said it seized P240 million worth of counterfeit shipments of popular fashion brands at the Port of Subic.

In a statement, the Customs said BOC operatives apprehended two 40-foot container shipments containing fake items bearing the name of high-end brands in violation of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) regulations.

The shipments were initially reported to contain t-shirts but were later found to contain assorted brand new apparel with logos and designs of branded goods, with an estimated value of P240,000,000.00, said the BOC.

The BOC said warrants of seizure and detention were issued against the subject shipments for violation of Section 155 of R.A. No. 8293 or Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines, in relation to Section 1113 (f) of R.A. No. 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.

"This successful operation is part of the unwavering commitment of the Bureau of Customs to protect the rights of intellectual property owners and prevent the circulation of counterfeit goods in the market," the BOC said. 

"The brand owners and the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) SBMA are in support of these operations, and the BOC Subic will further strengthen coordination," added the BOC. —VAL, GMA Integrated News