Customs Recordal Monitoring & Management Services

Filing a customs recordal with local customs authorities can enable you to take swift and decisive action against counterfeit goods. Find out how Novagraaf can provide support.

Overview

From customs recordal to seizure of goods

By working closely with local customs authorities on your behalf, Novagraaf's customs recordal monitoring and management services enable you to take swift and decisive action against counterfeit goods.

As counterfeiters become more sophisticated, it is increasingly challenging for brand owners to determine where to target their actions and spend. We support brand owners by establishing and overseeing an approach and process for filing customs recordals. Based on that strategy, we will file a customs recordal in your key markets, including countries that are well-known for manufacturing counterfeit goods or have major transit hubs and international trade ports. This arms the relevant authorities with the information they need to identify suspect goods.

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Benefits

You can count on us for expert support

When an infringer attempts to pass goods through customs, you want authorities to be at the ready. Working in conjunction with customs, Novagraaf acts as your single point of contact to educate, monitor and ensure steps are taken immediately to stop the flow of counterfeit goods:

When suspicious products are discovered, customs will immediately notify Novagraaf with basic information about the detained goods. Based on your instruction, we will confirm whether to detain or release the products in question. If you decide to detain the products, Novagraaf will file the application requesting the destruction of the goods from their owner/importer/exporter on your behalf.

Time is of the essence following a customs notification with deadlines of as little as three working days to file an application for action (AFA), and up to 10 working days to inspect the provided sample(s) of the detained goods to confirm whether they are genuine items. Within this timeframe, you will also need to begin your infringement action if the goods are counterfeit. The support of a trusted adviser is key to meeting those deadlines.

How we help

End-to-end support for customs recordals

A proactive customs recordal strategy sends a clear message to counterfeiters and customs that you are serious about fighting fakes, which may help to deter infringement while encouraging customs officers to keep an eye out for your brand.

As well as ensuring that counterfeit goods are permanently removed from the market, we collect all relevant data and maintain records of each case, keeping a record of seized products to provide brand owners with valuable intelligence as to the sources of infringement. As part of our Customs Recordal Monitoring & Management Services, we will also provide you with a monthly status report of current and handled customs cases.

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Methodology

Our custom recordal checklist

To take action at customs effectively, it's vital to provide supporting information and examples of the relevant goods, their packages and the usual shipping routes. Novagraaf facilitates this process for clients by collecting and preparing the relevant information, including:

Details of the genuine branded goods (distinctive features, total value, colours, etc.)

Photos of the goods

Types of package (number of items per package, description including distinctive features)

Place of production (country, company, address and town)

Routes of trade, sales channels and retail shops (name, address and town)

Distributors and licensees if applicable (name, address and town)

Clearance details of the goods and distribution information

Proof of registered IP rights

Where applicable, a pattern of infringement or fraud

A customs trademark recordal generally lasts one year and is renewable.

Features

Discover our comprehensive approach to anti-counterfeiting

As specialist attorneys responsible for clients’ IP strategy and implementation, we have the knowledge, background and global reach needed to integrate your off- and online brand protection approach seamlessly into the wider IP landscape of your business.

We provide brand owners with a single point of contact for their anti-counterfeiting and brand protection activities, offering a consistent and comprehensive approach, providing regular reports on progress and advising on new tools and techniques for better targeting the sources and channels of infringement.

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Looking for an integrated and efficient customs recordal monitoring & management service?

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