BOC to condemn P11 billion seized fake goods

Biggest seizure of fake goods thus far

On Jul 30, 2024

A member of the BOC-IPRD examining some of the fake items seized in Binondo, Manila, June 14, 2024. The BOC said the value of the confiscated items reached P11 billion. The agency added the fake goods would be condemned to prevent their being pilfered back to the local market (photo: BOC-PIAD).

THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) last July 26, announced the condemnation of over P11 billion worth of assorted counterfeit products it seized during an operation in Binondo, Manila, last month.

“We will not tolerate any form of counterfeiting,” declared Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence (DCI) Juvymax R. Uy, whose office spearheaded the operation with the approval of Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio thru a ‘LOA’ (letter of authority) signed by the customs chief.

“This successful operation sends a clear message to counterfeiters that we are committed in upholding the law and protecting our markets,” added the bemedaled former chief of the elite Intelligence Service Group (ISG) of the Philippine Army.

Target of the operation last June 14, 2024, was the ‘Juan Luna Logistics Center’ along Juan Luna St., Binondo, Manila.

The operation would also be the biggest seizure by the BOC of counterfeit goods in terms of value, topping the P7.3 billion worth of fake goods the IG-IPRD seized in Bulacan and Caloocan last March 20, 2024.

Intelligence Officer 3 (IO3) Paul Oliver Pacunayen, team leader and head of the Intellectual Property Rights Division (IPRD) of the IG, said among the items seized are alleged counterfeit brands, such as, Gucci, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Nike, Rolex, Apple, Hermes, Guess, Vans, Santa Cruz, and Dior.

“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,” the BOC said.

The announcement to condemn the entire shipment came after the owners failed to provide proof of payment of the correct duties and taxes and its lawful importation within the 15-day period provided for by law. Pacunayen added they also coordinated with the respective brand owners of the seized items to confirm if these were counterfeit items.

The operation would also be the biggest seizure by the BOC of counterfeit goods in terms of value, topping the P7.3 billion worth of fake goods the IG-IPRD seized in Bulacan and Caloocan last March 20, 2024 (see link here).

Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio, in commending the successful operation, remarked, “Counterfeit goods undermine legitimate businesses, leading to financial losses and weaken consumer trust.

“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.”