Uruguay seizes 305,660 suspected counterfeit perfumes at Montevideo port

Uruguayan customs officials seized 305,660 perfume units at the port of Montevideo in a suspected trademark infringement case with an estimated value of $16 million, authorities said.

The shipment arrived in a container from Nansha, China, and was headed to Asuncion, according to Uruguay’s National Customs Directorate.

Following the operation, officials notified the duty prosecutor and representatives of the affected brands, while the goods remained blocked pending formal complaints from the law firms representing the trademark holders.

Customs said a prior investigation by its Cargo Control Division had identified several risk indicators tied to the shipment.

The seizure was carried out under a broader cooperation framework with the customs agencies of Chile, Brazil and Paraguay aimed at combating illicit trafficking. Under that arrangement, authorities monitor cargo manifests for containers transshipped through Uruguay.

After inspecting the container, officials found 853 boxes of perfumes that appeared to imitate well-known brands including Carolina Herrera, Paco Rabanne, Versace, Dior and Hugo Boss.

Authorities said authentic Arab perfumes typically come in boxes bearing the brand’s printed logo, include a hologram on the packaging and have the brand name engraved on the base of the bottle. None of those features were found on the seized items.

Some of the products had bottles, packaging or names similar to the brands they were meant to imitate. Many also displayed images of the original bottles on their packaging.

Officials also said the products were not listed in the declaration requested from the shipping agent, and the container had not originated in the United Arab Emirates.

Source: Portal Portuario

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