2006 was a big year for the officers of the Australian Customs Service in Victoria in terms of seizing luxury and fashion goods.  Customs officers prevented counterfeit goods estimated to be worth over $3 million from making their way to the Australian market.

In February, Customs officers seized almost 30,000 bottles of counterfeit perfume. The haul would be worth up to $2 million if the perfumes were genuine.  The bottles of fake perfumes were discovered when Customs officers selected two shipping containers from China for inspection.  Closer examination of the consignments revealed a range of fake designer label perfumes which breach intellectual property legislation.

Customs Regional Director Victoria, Jaclyne Fisher, said that in total, 9,840 bottles of perfume branded as Lancôme Miracle, 9,984 bottles of perfume branded as Gucci and 10,000 atomiser-sized bottles labeled as Joop! were discovered.  “Customs plays a key role in protecting consumers from purchasing goods which may not only be fake, but may also be dangerous or sub-standard in quality.” Ms Fisher said.

In early April Victoria Customs officers uncovered a massive shipment of counterfeit designer brands, which included over 1,000 pairs of jeans, handbags, wallets, watches and more perfumes.  More than 5,200 articles were located, representing 17 manufacturers among them international designers such as Hugo Boss, Chanel, Gucci, Diesel, Calvin Klein and Polo Ralph Lauren. 

The April haul would be worth about $1 million if the goods were sold at full retail value of the genuine article.  Ms. Fisher commented that “Counterfeiters prey on unsuspecting shoppers who pay retail prices for what they believe to be genuine goods”.  She further added, “While some goods might resemble the genuine article, they are sub-standard, and may result in financial loss and disappointment to the consumer.”

The fake designer goods were seized by Customs on behalf of the registered trade mark owners under the Trade Marks Act 1995 and the Copyright Act 1968.  Maximum penalties under the Trade Marks Act can include a fine of up to $55,000 and/or two years imprisonment. 

The goods were forfeited and disposed of on completion of any subsequent legal action taken by the registered trade mark owners.