In line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to strengthen border security and protect consumers from counterfeit and substandard goods, the Bureau of Customs (BOC), through its Intellectual Property Rights Division, has successfully seized counterfeit wearing apparel valued at an estimated P482 million, bearing popular international and local brands.
BOC spokesperson Atty. Chris Noel Bendijo said the shipments, which arrived at the Port of Manila in August 2025, originated from Bangladesh. To evade the BOC’s profiling system, these were transshipped to Singapore before being forwarded to Manila.
Bendijo said the containers were flagged for examination following intelligence reports indicating possible misdeclaration and suspected Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) infringement.
During a 100% physical inspection conducted on October 9, 2025, customs authorities confirmed that the shipments contained 1,287 boxes of counterfeit branded apparel misdeclared as socks. Each item was estimated to have a market value of P2,500, amounting to a total of ?482,625,000.
The items bore the trademarks of multiple global and local brands, including but not limited to Jag, Bench, Zara, Givenchy, Fubu, Lee, H&M, Cotton On, Lacoste, Burberry, Essentials, Champion, Jordan, Levi’s, Bathing Ape, Oakley, RRJ, Calvin Klein and Off-white.
An inspection of the seized goods was held on October 30, 2025, led by Assistant Commissioner Atty. Vincent Philip C. Maronilla, together with Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) Director Thomas M. Narcise, CIIS Field Station Chief Paul Oliver N. Pacunayen of the Port of Manila, and other key officials. Brand representatives were also present to verify and confirm the counterfeit nature of the seized products.
A Warrant of Seizure and Detention (WSD) has been issued on October 28, 2025, for violations of Section 118 (Prohibited Importation and Exportation) in relation to Sections 1113 and 1401 of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA) and Republic Act No. 8293, or the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines. The shipments are now subject to condemnation, and the Bureau is pursuing the filing of criminal charges against the parties involved.
Maronilla emphasized that the BOC’s intensified efforts against counterfeit goods serve both to protect Filipino consumers and to uphold the integrity of legitimate enterprises.
“The sale and distribution of counterfeit products not only deceive consumers but also harm honest businesses that comply with the law. This operation reflects our continuing resolve to ensure that only legitimate goods enter the Philippine market,” he added.
Representatives from the affected brands expressed their gratitude and commended the BOC for its vigilance in protecting intellectual property rights. They also thanked the agency for its continued efforts in upholding fair competition in the market and safeguarding legitimate businesses from the adverse effects of counterfeit goods.
Newly-appointed BOC Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno reaffirmed the Bureau’s renewed commitment under his leadership to integrity, transparency and public service.
“We take this responsibility seriously because every counterfeit item that enters our borders affects Filipino livelihoods, both the workers behind legitimate brands and the consumers who deserve safety and authenticity. As the new Commissioner, my focus is on strengthening enforcement, modernizing our systems, and ensuring that every action of the BOC reflects our mandate to serve the Filipino people,” said Nepomuceno.
