The South African Revenue Services (SARS) has intercepted four consignments of suspected counterfeit goods worth R20.5 million at OR Tambo International Airport.
The busts, made over two days on Sunday and Monday, saw 2 600 Nike sneakers from Hong Kong being seized.
In addition, 7 700 Nike sneakers and 100 Louis Vuitton bags, 2 000 kids Nike sneakers and 470 Gucci women’s dresses and 1 600 women’s Polo and Chanel branded shoes from China were confiscated.
Earlier this month, a 24-foot container filled with suspected counterfeit shoes, bags, wallets and other goods was detained by SARS Customs officials. During the December 8 bust at the City Deep depot in Gauteng, the goods with a protected value of R20.7-million were declared as furniture.
This was one of the 561 busts that SARS Customs officials have carried out since a special “increased inspections” operation started at the City Deep depot in August.
The operation focuses specifically on prohibited and restricted goods, such as counterfeit clothing and shoes.
“So far, 132 busts have related to clothing and textile infringements, with these busts bringing in over R10.5-million of revenue since August.”
The bust on March 8 was the second biggest suspected counterfeit clothing and textile bust since the operation began. The biggest bust took place in August when counterfeit branded goods estimated to be worth R23 million were confiscated.
SARS has introduced a number of measures to address clothing and textile infringements this year. One such measure is the introduction of new risk rules which have led to an increase in the number of stops and inspections of clothing and textile goods.
