Customs service stays alert to protect enterprises and public

To regulate the market and improve awareness of intellectual property rights, Ningbo Customs is committed to offering professional and personalized guidance for private enterprises that have quality brands. It also encourages them to file real-time customs records.

"Enterprises should strengthen their cooperation with customs in IPR protection, overseas infringement and counterfeiting," said Gu Qin, director general of Ningbo Customs, during his visit to the Xinling industrial park and exhibition hall of Deli, one of China's largest office suppliers based in Ningbo.

He said that Deli had set a good example for the export of China's independent brands. He added that the company should further its role in promoting the high-quality development of the stationery industry by applying for the record of all its trademarks in the General Administration of Customs of China. 

Le Zhiyuan, director of the Division of General Operation at Ningbo Customs, said that after the enterprises file their trademarks or other IPR, local customs could start protection on a legal basis during the import and export process. "For the IPR owners, their rights can be remedied in the first place." 

Statistics show that there are 8,685 IPR records in Zhejiang, accounting for some 33 percent of the country's total. The number of IPR owners is 2,371.

Private enterprise plays a major role in integrating China's economy into the global market. 

Zhejiang is a big province for China's private enterprises, which are focusing on the innovation and protection of IPR when engaged in foreign trade.

In recent years, the number of IPR disputes increased as the volume of foreign trade grew. 

To boost the innovation-driven development plan and IPR protection, Ningbo Customs will tackle infringement, counterfeiting and restore market order to secure a fair and honest business environment. 

Last year, Ningbo Customs received a call for help from Colgate-Palmolive, a giant United States consumer products company. 

It said that a batch of toothbrushes in Kenya infringed its patent with the "Teeclean Double Action" trademark.

Ningbo Customs introduced the IPR protection model to Colgate-Palmolive and guided them to file its IPRs in the General Administration of Customs. 

After the trademark filing, Ningbo Customs took action to trace the infringed goods by working with departments including risk management, inspection and logistics. 

In March, Ningbo Customs cracked down on 461,760 toothbrushes with the "Teeclean Double Action" trademark from Kenya. 

Ningbo Customs always pays attention to infringement and counterfeiting that relates to the national economy and people's livelihoods.

It is strengthening its cooperation with IPR owners in the consumer goods industry, strengthening risk analysis in imports and cracking down on illegal acts affecting people's lives, health and safety.