SOME P15.8 billion worth of fake high-end branded products were seized Bureau of Customs (BOC) agents who swooped down on multiple warehouses in Divisoria, Tondo, Manila, pursuant to the agency’s intensified campaign against counterfeit goods and intellectual property rights (IPR) violations.
The raids, spearheaded by Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service – Intellectual Property Rights Division (CIIS-IPRD), together with Kristian Nico Acosta, chief counsel of Guess Group in the Philippines, covered several warehouses in a commercial complex in Divisoria, where the BOC seized over 1.727 million pieces of counterfeit products estimated at P15.8 billion.
The fake items included bags, clothes, and accessories illegally using the trademarks of well-known global brands such as Guess, Michael Kors, Coach, Louis Vuitton, and Tory Burch.
Representatives from Guess Group confirmed that a significant portion of the seized goods bore unauthorized reproductions of their brand.
The BOC warned the public about the health and safety risks, as well as the economic harm posed by counterfeit products. It urged consumers to avoid buying bogus items, stressing that counterfeiting undermines legitimate businesses and upsets fair competition in the market.
Acosta said the target of the recent operation had long been on Guess’ internal watchlist and had also been flagged by the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines. The firm’s in-house investigations confirmed that the counterfeiters had been distributing fakes through both actual stores and online platforms, putting consumers and brand reputation at risk.
“The BOC-IPRD’s efficient, tech-driven processes and collaborative spirit with brand owners like Guess show how government and private sector can work hand-in-hand to protect consumers and promote fair competition,” he added .
“We are serious about our mission to keep counterfeit goods out of the country. This is about protecting the public, supporting legitimate businesses, and ensuring a level playing field in the market,” Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio said.
The BOC, through its IPRD, pledges to continue working closely with brand owners, e-commerce platforms, and enforcement partners to combat counterfeiting and uphold consumer protection nationwide.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline “Customs takes away over P15-b worth of fake goods in Divisoria.”