President Benigno S. Aquino III is briefed on the status of passenger volume and traffic, airport security and assistance measures by Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) OIC, general manager (Ret.) MGen. Vicente Guerzon, Jr.,during the Inspection of Major Passenger Terminals in Metro Manila at the Departure Lobby of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 in Pasay City on Wednesday (April 16, 2014) during the Inspection of Major Passenger Terminals in Metro Manila. The President wants to make sure that all security preparations are in place to ensure safe travel during the Holy Week. Also in photo are Transportation and Communications Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya and NAIA Terminal 3 manager Engr. Octavio Lina.(MNS photo)
MANILA (Mabuhay) – An importer of knockoff designer bags and accessories and his customs broker have been sued for smuggling into the country these fake products.
In a statement, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) said it sued Noel Villaflor, owner and proprietor of NSGV Trading, and his broker Sherjun Saldon for violations of the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines and the Intellectual Property (IP) Code.
The case pertains to a shipment from China last May in a 40-foot container that arrived at the Manila International Container Port. Composed of 600 cartons, the shipment’s papers declared that it contained various women’s clothing and accessories, skateboards and parts thereof, PVC flooring, plastic cases and boxes, and aluminum ladder and grinder.
Inspection by BOC personnel however uncovered 15,960 undeclared items that included “Class A” counterfeit luxury bags and accessories that bore international brands like Hermes, Ralph Lauren, Tory Burch, Prada, Celine, Michael Kors, Burberry, Fitflop, Lacoste and Ray-Ban, as well as local brands Onesimus and Una Rosa.
According to BOC, the undeclared items were worth a combined P300 million.
“We have been in close coordination with the brand owners, IPOPHL and other government agencies to step-up our drive against fake products. It is our duty and responsibility to protect our consumers from the entry of products that may bring health hazards or cause harm to legitimate entrepreneurs and businesses,” said Customs Commissioner John P. Sevilla.(MNS)