In a recent series of operations, Chinese customs officers have seized numerous batches of counterfeit goods, including bearings, that infringe on intellectual property rights. A notable operation took place at the Meishan Customs Station in Ningbo, where officers discovered 3,140 counterfeit bearings falsely labeled with the “SKF” and “Koyo” brand names.
During an inspection of a shipment declared as “rubber bands and printers,” customs officers identified undeclared goods bearing the logos of well-known brands. Upon verification with the trademark owners, it was confirmed that all the bearings were counterfeit.
Under Articles 44 and 91 of the Customs Law of the People’s Republic of China, customs authorities are mandated to protect intellectual property rights related to the import and export of goods. If goods are found to violate Chinese laws and administrative regulations protecting intellectual property, customs have the authority to confiscate such goods and impose fines. In cases where the violation constitutes a crime, the perpetrators may face criminal charges.
This operation is part of a broader effort by Chinese customs to combat intellectual property violations. Counterfeit goods not only infringe on intellectual property rights but also pose risks to consumer safety and the environment.
Earlier in April 2024, the Gaotang County Market Supervision Bureau received a notice from local authorities about a case involving the sale of counterfeit bearings by a suspect identified as Wu Mou. The bearings in question were falsely labeled with the logos of well-known brands such as “NSK,” “INA,” and “FAG,” raising suspicions of trademark infringement.
Investigations confirmed that the trademark owners had not authorized Wu Mou to produce, sell, or store products bearing their logos. Wu Mou’s actions were found to be in violation of Article 57, Clause 3 of the Trademark Law of the People’s Republic of China. As a result, the Gaotang County Market Supervision Bureau decided to take administrative action against the suspect.
On April 11, 2024, the Bureau issued a decision ordering Wu Mou to immediately cease his illegal activities. Authorities confiscated the counterfeit bearings and imposed a fine of 40,000 yuan on the suspect.
In recent years, China has implemented a range of measures to strengthen intellectual property protection, including the establishment of specialized anti-counterfeiting and anti-IPR violation departments within customs. These initiatives aim to protect the rights of trademark holders and prevent counterfeit goods from entering the market.
