Manila trader, broker sued over fake perfumes, bags from China

The Bureau of Customs on Thursday filed smuggling complaints in the Department of Justice against a Manila-based businessman and his broker for allegedly importing counterfeit perfumes, bags and other items worth P310 million from China.

Customs Commissioner John Sevilla lodged complaints against Herman dela Cruz, owner of Amazing Glory General Merchandise in San Andres Bukid, Manila, and customs broker Dennis Bancairen. The respondents were sued for violation of the Tariff and Customs Code and Intellectual Property Code, as well as for perjury and falsification.

Sevilla said Dela Cruz and Bancairen were responsible for the importation of counterfeit products through the Manila International Container Port on April 9.

The illegal cargos were declared as dresses, ladies’ bags, light-emitting diode (LED) lamps, seasoning, moisturizers, wipes, perfumes and hats.

But further examination revealed that the shipment contained assorted products bearing faked brand names like Hot and Cold Benetton, Calvin Klein Eternity and CK One, Gucci Rush and Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue perfumes; Nivea Visage, L’Oreal and Johnson’s wipes; Louis Vuitton (bags and wallets), Abercrombie & Fitch, Lacoste, Polo, Nike and Adidas apparel; and local brands such as Maggi Magic Sarap seasoning granules and Jag jeans.

Sevilla expressed alarm over the number of local brands that were being faked, saying “many of these homegrown brands are small- and medium-scale businesses built from the ground up by entrepreneurs.”

“They may not have the legal or security muscle to protect themselves from copyright infringement and yet they suffer from the harmful effects of the production and sale of fake products,” he said. Jerome Aning