BOC: P100-M smuggling raps filed vs. fake goods importer

The fake goods, stored in two 40-foot container vans, were declared as ‘1,552 packages of ladies bags, shoes, stationery, blender, watch, cellphone accessories, toilet soap and moisturizers’ Upon examination the shipment was revealed to contain over 33,0

THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) yesterday filed before the Department of Justice (DOJ) a P100million smuggling case against an importer of fake goods.

Charged were Amazing Glory General Merchandise (Amazing Glory) owner, proprietor and general manager Herman dela Cruz and licensed customs broker Dennis Bancairen.

BOC Commissioner John P. Sevilla said the respondents are facing charges once again for bringing in fake goods from China worth an estimated P100 million.

Last July 2014, BOC filed a similar case against Amazing Glory for the same offense with the fake goods amounting to P310 million.

The fake goods, stored in two 40foot container vans, were declared as “1,552 packages of ladies bags, shoes, stationery, blender, watch, cellphone accessories, toilet soap and moisturizers.”

However, upon further examination the shipment was revealed to contain over 33,000 pieces of assorted goods with infringing trademarks, like Nike bags, pouch bags and wristwatches; Adidas and Nike children’s bags; Sanrio bags; Gucci wristwatches and ladies bags; Swatch, Puma and Calvin Klein wristwatches; Longchamp ladies bags; Sony headsets; and Oakley pouch bags.

Sevilla said for importing counterfeit products from China through the Port of Manila last May 2014, dela Cruz and Bancairen are facing charges for violation of prohibited articles under the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines (TCCP) Sections 3601 and 101, as amended in relation to Section 166 on infringement of Republic Act No. 8293, or the “Intellectual Property Code;” and violation of Section 3602 of the TCCP.

“They never learn. They think they can get away with their smuggling activities but they are wrong. We will continue our aggressive drive against smugglers,” Sevilla said.

“We also appeal to our consumers not to patronize fake products as these take away livelihood from legitimate business and their workers,” he stressed.

“If people will continue to buy fake goods then the smuggling will not stop. To help us curve smuggling, please patronize only the real stuff,” Sevilla pointed out.