CBP Details APEC Op to Fight Fake Medicines in Express/Mailed Goods
U.S. Customs and Border Protection states that in 2011 it partnered with customs agencies from the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) to target counterfeit pharmaceuticals in mail and express carrier shipments. This enforcement partnership, dubbed Operation APEC, resulted in enforcement actions against more than 1,200 shipments of illegal pharmaceuticals. Operation APEC started in March and ran through November which included a 10 day enforcement operation at select express carrier and international mail facilities in June and July.
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Infringing goods being shipped by express/mail. The trend in shipping patterns, for infringing merchandise, has shifted to international mail and express packages. In the past five years, CBP has seen these types of seizures increase by more than 80 percent. Through international partnerships such as this one, CBP is able to combat the global threat of dangerous and counterfeit goods, including pharmaceuticals.
441 shipments seized, 99 for IPR. CBP officers examined more than 3,000 shipments during the operation, and seized 441 shipments of illegal pharmaceuticals, of which 99 shipments were seized for intellectual property rights (IPR) infringement. The domestic value of the 99 shipments seized for IPR infringement was more than $191,000. If the trademarks had been genuine, the manufacturer’s suggested retail price would have been more than $231,000. The types of drugs CBP seized included weight loss supplements, erectile dysfunction drugs, and pain medications.
Model practices. A final report on Operation APEC was finalized at the end of November and has resulted in the development of model practices that can guide customs authorities in combating fakes at international mail and express carrier facilities.
(CBP release posted 12/09/11)