Destroying illicit goods cost Revenue more than €170,000.
The Revenue Commissioners has spent more than €170,000 shredding illegal cigarettes, destroying fake branded goods and getting rid of illicit alcohol over the past three years. The costs are part of more than €2.8 million spent managing illegal goods that were seized during operations between 2016 and 2018. Figures reveal how an average of €875,000 is spent by Revenue each year keeping the State Warehouse running. The warehouse is used to store illegal cigarettes and alcohol, along with other items, with €2.625 million spent on employee salaries, collection and transport of seized goods, security, cleaning and other costs. Illegal alcohol is disposed of when a sufficient amount is available, usually between 15 and 20,000 litres, according to the Revenue Commissioners.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/destroying-illicit-goods-cost-revenue-more-than-170-000-v9hnmrdfk
Lear MoreStakeholder Consultation with Customs and DRI- Developing Strategic Actions Against Smuggling and Counterfeiting, New Delhi
18/03/2019| New Delhi
With each passing day, the world is becoming more and more interconnected with greater flow of goods, people, capital, information and technology. This provides countries with the opportunity to fast-track economic growth and development through increased international trade. This,on one hand proves to be beneficial to legitimate trade; while on the other hand it also benefits illegal trade, where criminals are making use of more integrated markets to illicitly move goods, people and money across borders. Hence, the new global trade landscape also brings new set of challenges. Customs administrations around the worldnot only contribute to socio-economic development by facilitating legitimate trade, but also protect national economies and societies against the threats posed by organized criminal syndicates and terrorists.
With a view to identify opportunities for joint action between Customs and industry to combat illicit trade, FICCI CASCADE organized a Stakeholder Consultation with Customs and Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) on 18th March 2019 in FICCI. The principal purpose of the program was to understand the trends of smuggling and counterfeiting, measures taken by the Customs and DRI to thwart such activities and collaborative measures required in addressing this issue.
Mr. D P Dash, Pr. Director General, DRI was the Chief Guest at this consultation. In his address Mr. Dash emphasised on the importance of data while talking about this issue. He said that the quality of data with respect to illicit trade is a matter of concern worldwide and not only in India. The main issue is that data needs to be correct, complete, published on time and also interpreted correctly. Smuggling and counterfeit is a matter of worry with regards to the health and security in a big way and Mr. Dash suggested that we should have different strategic action plans for addressing (i) smuggling, (ii) counterfeiting and (iii) smuggling of counterfeit goods. He also urged the right holders to increase their participation and coordination with Customs.
Mr. O.P. Dadhich, Chief Commissioner of Customs, New Delhi in his address stated thatgetting information is a challenge as well as the biggest problem for Customs. He further added that tobacco, branded garments, cosmetics and mobile phone accessories are the biggest smuggling items in India.
Mr. Najib Shah, Former Chairman, Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs & Member, FICCI CASCADE Think Tank in his address mentioned thatIllicit manufactures and non-paying of taxes impact government revenue on a large scale and hence it is imperative that Government must frame policies regarding the subject. Moreover, the problem of counterfeiting and smuggling not only impacts the revenue but also the employment of the country.
Mr. P. C Jha, Former Chairman, Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs and Advisor, FICCI CASCADE in his welcome remarks said that the total economic and social costs globally due to Counterfeiting and piracy worldwide stood at Rs. 57.23 lakh crore in 2013 and expected to go up to 119.7 lakh crore by 2022. Mr. Jha mentioned that 65% of the consumers buy counterfeit goods knowingly; hence it is important to change in the mindset of consumers to buy genuine products. Subsequently if consumers were to purchase only against bill- this will reduce the problem by 80%. He further emphasised the need to have stringent penal provisions under Trade Marks Act and Copyright Act to have a deterrent effect.
FICCI CASCADE has been successful in stirring an active debate on the topic nationally through various awareness programmes and initiatives engaging industry, policy makers, law enforcement officials, voluntary organizations, youth and consumer at large. Among other activities, FICCI CASCADE has been engaging with customs and DRI officials across India in various states highlighting the magnitude of the menace and discussing industry collaborative measures to address this issue. Over the past several years, CASCADE has also felicitated a Best Investigation Officer from the Customs and DRI for their exceptional skills in investigation of counterfeiting and smuggling activities.
This multi stakeholder dialogue apart from understanding the menace caused by illicit goods, also presented an essence of the on ground functioning of industry with customs officials. Some of the key issues deliberated were:
- Ongoing research and data analysis to understand the trends andmagnitude of the problem.
- Need for global standards from best practice around the world.
- International cooperation in facilitating exchange of information and intelligence.
- Need for tools and collaborative programs to support customs in the areas of intelligence, capacity building and training.
Leading industries, legal firms, technology providers, consumer organizations and other relevant stakeholders took part in the interactions.
Trends in Trade in Counterfeit and Pirated Goods
Illicit trade in fake goods is a major challenge in an innovation-driven global economy. It has a negative impact on the sales and profits of affected firms, as well as broader adverse effects on the economy as well as public health, safety and security. Organised criminal groups are seen as playing an increasingly important role in these activities, using profits from counterfeiting and piracy operations to fund other illegal activities. Counterfeiters operate swiftly in the globalized economy, misusing free trade zones, taking advantage of many legitimate trade facilitation mechanisms and thriving in economies with weak governance standards.
To provide policy makers with solid empirical evidence for taking action against this threat, the OECD and the EU Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) joined forces to carry out a series of analytical studies. The results have been published in a set of reports, starting with the 2016 Trade in Counterfeit and Pirated Goods: Mapping the Economic Impact. The report showed that trade in counterfeit and pirated goods amounted to up to 2.5 % of world trade in 2013; when considering only the imports into the EU, they amounted to up to 5 % of imports.
Trade in counterfeit and pirated goods is a very dynamic and constantly changing phenomenon. Continuous measurement efforts are needed to monitor this risk. This report presents updated figures on the scale, scope and magnitude of trade in counterfeit and pirated goods, based on a statistical analysis of a unique database of half a million seizures of counterfeit goods. Structured interviews with trade and customs experts also contributed to the analysis.
The results are alarming. In 2016, counterfeit and pirated goods amounted to as much as 3.3% of world trade, and up to 6.8% of EU imports from third countries. These figure underscore once again the need for coordinated action against IP crime in general and trade in counterfeits in particular.
We are very pleased that our two institutions joined forces once again to update the results published in the 2016 OECD – EUIPO report Trade in Counterfeit and Pirated Goods: Mapping the Economic Impact and to assess the scope and magnitude of damages to world trade caused by counterfeit and pirated goods.
At the OECD, this study was conducted under the Task Force on Countering Illicit Trade (TF-CIT) of the OECD High Level Risk Forum. The Forum focuses on evidence-based research and advanced analytics to assist policy makers in mapping and understanding the market vulnerabilities exploited and created by illicit trade. The study was shared with other policymaking OECD bodies with relevant expertise in the area of trade and innovation.
Lear MoreRevenue seizes one million smuggled cigarettes at Dublin Port.
More than one million cigarettes have been seized by customs officers at Dublin Port. The seizure was made by officers with the Revenue during routine operations on Thursday, when the smuggled cigarettes were discovered. The unstamped cigarettes were found when a cargo of freight which had arrived into Dublin from Rotterdam in the Netherlands was examined. The seized cigarettes, branded ‘Marlboro’, had a retail value of almost €500,000, and would have represented a potential loss to the Exchequer of €422,000 if they had been smuggled successfully. Investigations into the seizure are ongoing.
https://www.thejournal.ie/smuggled-cigarettes-revenue-4546389-Mar2019/
Lear MoreRevenue seizes one million smuggled cigarettes at Dublin Port.
More than one million cigarettes have been seized by customs officers at Dublin Port. The seizure was made by officers with the Revenue during routine operations on Thursday, when the smuggled cigarettes were discovered.
The unstamped cigarettes were found when a cargo of freight which had arrived into Dublin from Rotterdam in the Netherlands was examined.
The seized cigarettes, branded ‘Marlboro’, had a retail value of almost €500,000, and would have represented a potential loss to the Exchequer of €422,000 if they had been smuggled successfully.
Investigations into the seizure are ongoing.
https://www.thejournal.ie/smuggled-cigarettes-revenue-4546389-Mar2019/
Lear More
Destroying illicit goods cost Revenue more than €170,000.
The Revenue Commissioners has spent more than €170,000 shredding illegal cigarettes, destroying fake branded goods and getting rid of illicit alcohol over the past three years.
The costs are part of more than €2.8 million spent managing illegal goods that were seized during operations between 2016 and 2018.
Figures reveal how an average of €875,000 is spent by Revenue each year keeping the State Warehouse running. The warehouse is used to store illegal cigarettes and alcohol, along with other items, with €2.625 million spent on employee salaries, collection and transport of seized goods, security, cleaning and other costs.
Illegal alcohol is disposed of when a sufficient amount is available, usually between 15 and 20,000 litres, according to the Revenue Commissioners.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/destroying-illicit-goods-cost-revenue-more-than-170-000-v9hnmrdfk
Lear MoreTwo Sri Lankan women caught smuggling gold worth over Rs 30 lakh at Pune airport.
Customs officials on Thursday caught two Sri Lankan women, for allegedly Smuggling gold worth around Rs 30 lakh, at the Pune airport.
According to police, the duo arrived from Singapore by Jet airways and walked through the Green channel without declaring anything to the Customs.
After noticing suspicious movement, Customs officials interrogated them and it was found that they were carrying 24-carat gold in the form of chain, bangles and biscuits, weighing 914.25 gm.
The jewellery worth around Rs 30,31,937 has been seized on the suspicion of being smuggled, an official statement read.
Lear MoreTwo Sri Lankan women caught smuggling gold worth over Rs 30 lakh at Pune airport.
Customs officials on Thursday caught two Sri Lankan women, for allegedly smuggling gold worth around Rs 30 lakh, at the Pune airport. According to police, the duo arrived from Singapore by Jet Airways and walked through the Green channel without declaring anything to the Customs. After noticing suspicious movement, Customs officials interrogated them and it was found that they were carrying 24-carat gold in the form of chain, bangles and biscuits, weighing 914.25 gm. The jewellery worth around Rs 30,31,937 has been seized on the suspicion of being smuggled, an official statement read.
Lear More
EPA, Customs Seize More than 10,000 Illegal Items at SoCal Ports.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced Tuesday enforcement actions involving $530,199 in fines and over 10,000 engines and vehicles imported into the United States. These actions are the result of on-going joint operations between EPA and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach to identify foreign-made engines and vehicles that lack proper emission controls, including ATVs, motorcycles, and construction equipment. “Oversight of foreign-made engines imported through southern California ports is a priority,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Mike Stoker. “The enforcement cases announced (Tuesday) prevented hundreds of thousands of pounds of harmful air pollutants from being emitted into our air. We will continue to look work with CBP to ensure that items coming into the U.S. meet federal emissions requirements.” Under the joint initiative, EPA found companies imported engines and vehicles without certification or proper emissions controls. Engines operating without adequate controls emit excess carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and nitrogen oxides, which can cause respiratory illnesses, aggravate asthma, and lead to the formation of ground level ozone. Particular cases involved the following companies:
https://scvnews.com/2019/03/14/epa-customs-seize-more-than-10000-illegal-items-at-socal-ports/
Lear MoreInteractive Session on Strategies to Curb Smuggling and Counterfeiting, Goa
13/03/2019| Goa
Smuggling and counterfeiting which are termed as illicit trade is today the biggest challenge facing our country. It is also the world’s largest growing economic menace. Owing to its rather complex nature, its size is hard to determine. However, various estimates suggest that over the last ten years, the magnitude of illicit trade has grown from USD 650 billion to about USD 3 trillion, and this criminal activity represents 10 per cent of the global trade, being rightly termed by the FBI as the ‘crime of the 21st century’. It is evident that the hazards of illicit trade are serious which needs to be dealt with sincere commitment leading to result-oriented effective steps addressing this challenge. In order to brain storm on strategies needed to address the problem, FICCI CASCADE organized an Interactive Session on Strategies to Curb Smuggling and Counterfeiting on 13th March 2019 in Goa. This interaction between FICCI CASCADE Think Tank members and representatives from the Government of Goa was organized with the intent to facilitate a wider exchange and ensure a multifaceted perspective to not only understand the risks caused by illicit trade activities but also search for remedial measures to contain this concern.
Mr. Anil Rajput, Chairman, FICCI CASCADE, in his opening remarks, stated that with the opening up of the Indian economy in 1991, branded goods made their way into India and there was a clear element of glamour attached to them, which led to a spike in aspirations, especially for the middle-class population. While many products are being introduced through the legal channel, a significantly large number are today serviced through the smuggled and counterfeit route. Participants in this illicit trade not only deprive the government of its rightful revenue but also create an army of anti-social elements who are a threat to each and every society in the world. The criminal networks behind this operate across national borders in activities that include the manufacture, export, import and distribution of smuggled products. Mr. Rajput also highlighted the fact that smuggled goods result in export of jobs and have a detrimental impact on the employment opportunities of the local habitant and hence, this issue needs to be stressed upon and highlighted adequately.
Mr. P. C. Jha, FICCI CASCADE and Former Chairman, Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs in his address stressed upon the issue of inadequate penal provisions and delayed prosecution/adjudication proceedings which failed to create the desired deterrence with regards to this crime. Moreover, it is also seen that industry do not fully cooperate during investigations and prosecution. More proactive and dedicated actions are needed to be taken by the affected industry, he emphasized.
The discussants from the Government included Mr. Pranab Nanda, Director General of Police, Goa, Mr. K Anpazhakan, Commissioner, GST, Goa, Mr. Satish Pattapu, Joint Director, DRI, Mumbai Zonal Unit and Mr. Nilotpal Mrinal, Commandant, Central Industrial Security Force. The members from FICCI CASCADE Think Tank included Mr. Hem Kumar Pande, Former Secretary, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Mr. Anil Sinha, Former Director CBI, Mr. Sanjeev Tripathi, Former Chief of RAW, Mr Najib Shah, Former Chairman, Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs, Mr. Vikram Srivastava, Former DG, CRPF, Ms Kameswari Subramanian, International Expert Customs Law Procedures and Trade Facilitation and Mr Narendra Sabharwal, Former DDG, WIPO, & Chairman FICCI IPR Committee.
The interactions identified that the action required to address this menace had many elements, starting with greater vigil at the borders. With illicit trade being a worldwide phenomenon, bilateral and multilateral engagements between nations would ensure greater difficulty, if not immobility, of smuggled & counterfeit products from one nation to another. The second stage was strengthening the enforcement agencies and working towards designing better legal system to address this challenge. Punitive action coupled with the right policy framework that dis-incentivizes this entire activity would deter such illegitimate operators from making repeated attempts. Finally, the focus should be on consumers who need to be made aware of the detrimental impact of such spurious goods. Consumer awareness campaigns that explain how to differentiate a fake product from a genuine one, to demanding a copy of the bill from the seller, along with the harmful consequences of buying illegal products vis-a-vis the genuine, needs to explicitly be conveyed.
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