NEW ZEALAND: Kiwi Customs seized more than 400 counterfeit goods during the calendar year, with one haul netting 14,000 items alone almost a third of the total items intercepted.
The big haul happened at the end of last year and had goods ranging from counterfeit children’s watches, hats and walkie-talkies to dolls and toys, Customs manager Jonathan Morten said here the other day.
Clothes and clothing accessories were the most common items, with more than 230 interceptions of almost 14,000 sports-branded hats, vests, t-shirts, and themed clothes, including onesies.
Footwear was also popular with more than 2200 pairs intercepted.
Electronic goods such as smart phones, phone accessories, and branded headphones and speakers were the second most common with more than 70 interceptions of more than 7200 electronic products last year.
Close to 800 pieces of furniture and household items, and almost 500 cosmetics and perfumes, 4500 flags, 100 sporting helmets and 98 car air fresheners, also made the hit list.
Morten said the fakes were often sold at markets, discount shops and online.
“Counterfeiters rapidly churn out fakes to keep up with market trends and it’s getting harder to tell them from the real deal.
“It’s important for buyers to be aware that the fakes will always be of much poorer quality and in many instances, especially for electronic equipment, may not meet safety standards and be dangerous to use.”
The items were either destroyed or the importer paid to have them returned to the country of origin.
