Container filled with counterfeit toys and other goods seized

SINGAPORE - In a release on Thursday, Singapore Customs said the boxes of trademark infringing goods were found when they intercepted a 40-foot (12m) container that arrived here from Shenzhen, China, on May 20.

Get the full story from The Straits Times.

Here is the statement from Singapore Customs:

Singapore Customs foils importer's bid to distribute trademark-infringing goods to shops

An importer's plan to distribute trademark-infringing goods to shops in Singapore was foiled when Singapore Customs interdicted and sealed the 40-foot container that arrived from Shenzhen, China, on 20 May 2014.

The following day (21 May 2014), Singapore Customs enforcement officers unsealed and inspected the container at the importer's premises at Playfair Road.

They found 159 cartons and nine sacks containing an assortment of toys, water bottles, bags and accessories featuring popular superhero and comic characters such as Batman, Captain America, Spider-Man, Superman, Transformers, Barney, Care Bears, and Hello Kitty.

When the Singapore Customs officers searched the office of the importer, they found more trademark-infringing goods.

The Singapore Police Force (SPF)'s Intellectual Property Rights Branch was immediately notified. The Police arrested a man and a woman for possession of goods with falsely applied trademarks for the purpose of trade under Section 49(c) of the Trade Marks Act (Cap 332), and seized the trademark-infringing goods.

Investigations are ongoing.

"Singapore does not condone such illegal trading activities," said Mr Tok Choon Min, Acting Head of Operations Management Branch, Singapore Customs.

"The close collaboration between Singapore Customs and the SPF, as demonstrated in this operation, is a reflection of our unwavering determination in ensuring a robust intellectual property rights enforcement regime in Singapore," said Mr Tok.

Anyone who has specific information on illegal trading activities can report it to Singapore Customs via email (customs_intelligence@customs.gov.sg).

All information received will be treated in strict confidence.