The Bureau of Customs (BOC), through its Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service-Intellectual Property Rights Division (CIIS-IPRD), alongside with the National Bureau of Investigation – National Capital Region (NBI-NCR), seized counterfeit items and other products on 02 May 2022 for failure of the owners to comply with the Department of Trade and Industry’s safety standards. The counterfeit goods found were estimated at Php 78,000,000.00
Armed with a Letters of Authority (LOA) issued by BOC Commissioner Rey Leonardo B. Guerrero, the implementing team composed of personnel from the CIIS-IPRD, BOC-Port of Manila (POM), NBI-NCR, and the Armed Forces of the Philippines inspected the warehouses located at Fochun Industrial Compound, Balagtas, Bulacan.
Prior to the sealing of the subject warehouses, BOC examiners, in the presence of CIIS and the AFP operatives, conducted the initial inventory of IPR goods comprising of various items and goods bearing the brands Adidas, Nike, Jordan, Gucci, Kawasaki, Yamaha, Honda, among others. In addition, the owners and their representatives were invited during the operation and have issued certification of non-authenticity on those counterfeit goods.
Moreover, a shipment container was also found at the said location. Upon checking the importation documents, it was revealed that the declaration of the said cargo was steel channel but was found to contain Aluminum Profiles.
The representatives of the warehouses were informed by the implementing team to provide importation documents and other pertinent permits covering all goods found thereat. Further investigation is also underway for other possible violations of the Republic Act (R.A.) 4653, Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines (R.A. 8293), Consumer Act of the Philippines (R.A. 7394), and the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (R.A. 10863).
The Bureau of Customs, under the leadership of Commissioner Rey Leonardo B. Guerrero, continues with its stringent enforcement of Customs laws to protect the interests of the national government and the welfare of its local citizens.
