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Fake jewellery haul seized

Minister for Home Affairs, Brendan O’Connor, recently praised the work of Customs and Border Protection officers in Fremantle who stopped more than 10,000 counterfeit Tiffany and Company items from reaching the local market and being sold to unsuspecting consumers.

“It is vital that we stop these goods at the border as they threaten the profitability and reputation of legitimate businesses and are potentially a risk to consumer safety,” Mr O’Connor said.

“Tiffany and Company is a prestigious company and Customs and Border Protection’s work in stopping these counterfeit goods ensures there is no negative
impact on the famous Tiffany brand,” Mr O’Connor said.

The goods were originally referred to Customs and Border Protection on August 3 by a Frontline member 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 Company 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 Company, 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.

Mr O’Connor said this case is a excellent example of how Customs and Border Protection 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.” Glen Schlehuber, Managing Director, Tiffany and
Company Australia said the actions of Customs and Border Protection officers prevented thousands of goods entering the country.

“As a company that takes great care in protecting its trademark rights, we applaud the work of Customs and Border Protection in this seizure,” Mr Schlehuber said.

“This seizure sends a strong message that those who traffic in counterfeit merchandise will not get away with it,” he added.