Customs NZ seizes more than 43,000 counterfeit goods in 2014
Online buyers are urged to use trusted and licensed websites to avoid being ripped off
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Hawke’s Bay
Branded sports clothes, caps and smartphones were among the most intercepted items by Customs New Zealand in 2014.
Last year, more than 400 interceptions of counterfeit goods, totalling over 43,000 branded items, were made.
Clothes and clothing accessories are the most common items seized, with more than 230 interceptions of almost 14,000 sports-branded hats, vests and themed clothes.
Customs manager Jonathan Morten says the department's role is to intercept any suspected counterfeit goods and report it to the rights holder for action.
“We do this for about 300 intellectual property rights holders so far and we would encourage others to lodge protection notices with Customs,” he says.
Electronic goods, such as smartphones and accessories, branded headphones and speakers, are also commonly intercepted items, with 70 interceptions of more than 7200 electronic products last year.
Mr Morten says the fakes are often sold at markets, discount shops and online.
“Counterfeiters rapidly churn out fakes to keep up with market trends and it’s getting harder to tell them from the real deal.”
He says it’s recommended online buyers use trusted and licensed websites to avoid being ripped off.
“It’s important for buyers to be aware that the fakes will always be of much poorer quality and in many instances, especially for electronic equipment, may not meet safety standards and be dangerous to use,” he says.
It is an offence under the Trade Marks Act to counterfeit a registered trade mark or import or sell goods with a falsely applied registered trade mark. Maximum penalties are five years’ imprisonment or a $150,000 fine.
Jason Walls
Fri, 09 Jan 2015
Fri, 09 Jan 2015
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Customs NZ seizes more than 43,000 counterfeit goods in 2014
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