AS part of the Bureau of Customs’ (BOC) commitment to suppress smuggling, the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service Field Office-Intellectual Property Rights Division (CIIS-IPRD) and BOC-Port of Manila seized smuggled IPR-infringing goods amounting to an estimated value of P110 million in Binondo, Manila.
Armed with a Letter of Authority (LOA) issued by BOC Commissioner Rey Leonardo B. Guerrero, the implementing team composed of personnel from the CIIS-IPRD, BOC-POM, and the Armed Forces of the Philippines inspected the warehouse located at One Soler, Binondo, Manila.
The initial inventory of goods, conducted by BOC examiners and witnessed by CIIS and AFP, led to the discovery of numerous items bearing the trademarks: Hermes, Christian Dior, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Marvel, Disney, Hot Wheels, Hello Kitty, Cars, Spiderman, Toy Story, Iron Man, to name a few.
Further investigation is underway for possible violations of the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines (RA 8293) and the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (RA 10863).
The BOC continues its stringent implementation of Customs laws to safeguard the country’s borders against illegal importations of counterfeit goods which may pose safety hazards.
