Fake goods seized in customs sing

MELBOURNE: Gucci, Diesel, Calvin Klein and Polo Ralph Lauren were just some of the brands implicated in a sting by Victorian customs officials last week.
Customs officers intercepted a shipment of fake designer jeans, handbags, wallets, watches and purfumes with a street value of more than $1 million during an examination of a sea cargo consignment.
It is understood the consignment arrived in Melbourne from China in April.
In all, 5,200 counterfeit items bearing the logos of 17 different manufacturers were seized in the sting.
Customs Victoria regional director Jaclyne Fisher condemned the finding, claiming the haul was a slight against both manufacturers and consumers.
It was a good example of an importer trading on the "good name and financial investment" of genuine TCF manufacturers, she said.
"Counterfeiters prey on unsuspecting shoppers who pay retail prices for what they believe to be genuine goods. While some goods might resemble the genuine article, they are sub-standard and may result in financial loss and disappointment to the customer."
Fisher said the forfeited goods would be disposed of upon completion of any legal action taken by the registered trade mark owners.
Under the Trade Marks Act 1995, anyone caught importing counterfeit goods can be fined up to $55,000 and/or sentenced to two years imprisonment.