Customs and Border Protection officers in Fremantle have stopped more than 10,000 counterfeit Tiffany and Co items from reaching the local market and being sold to unsuspecting consumers.

 

The goods were originally referred to Customs and Border Protection on August 3 by the air freight forwarder who thought the consignment, made up of eight boxes, was suspiciously labelled. A second shipment of one box was also stopped and examined by Customs and Border Protection Compliance Assurance officers on 5 August 2009.

 

Both consignments were confirmed by Compliance Assurance officers as containing thousands of counterfeit Tiffany and Co products along with associated packaging and care instructions.

 

Mr O’Connor said these types of counterfeit rackets are highly professional.

 

“The attention to detail in the packaging makes it especially difficult for consumers to spot a fake,” Mr O’Connor said.

 

The goods were subsequently seized and Tiffany and Co, the licensed objector, was notified. In total 10,778 counterfeit items (jewellery and packaging) were seized, including 476 necklaces, 597 bracelets and 177 rings.

 

Further investigations by Compliance Assurance officers have identified the supplier of the goods and a website used by the importers to sell the counterfeit goods on a commercial basis.

 

Customs works with industry to prevent intellectual property crimes and to protect legitimate trade and consumers. Such referrals from industry groups play a vital role in the detection of counterfeit and illegal goods.