The General Directorate of Customs (DGA) seized 16 tons of smuggled merchandise -for a total amount estimated at US$721,000- in an operation carried out in a port terminal in Buenos Aires, in which sportswear, epilators and sunglasses were detected.
A group of specialized Customs agents showed up after receiving an alert issued by the area’s systems.
The container, coming from Shanghai, was in the name of the company Cereal Business Trade SA, which had declared a load of 574 packages with PC cabinets.
After the alert, the cargo was examined and it was found that instead of weighing 12.66 tons as stated in the declaration
After the alert, an examination of the cargo was carried out and it was found that instead of weighing 12.66 tons as stated in the declaration, the merchandise totaled 16.46 tons, with an excess of more than 33%, Customs detailed in a statement.
After verifying the excess, the container was opened and an “extraordinary amount” of sportswear and sneakers was found along with 239 tattoo machines and 35 laser epilators, which, since they did not have ANMAT guarantees, “could represent a serious risk to potential users.
Also Customs verified the existence of 1,200 electronic cigarettes, 360 hair straighteners and 174 massagers without electrical safety certifications.
Among the sportswear, there were 2,214 pairs of shoes, 1,538 jackets from the brands Nike, Adidas and Puma from clubs such as Chelsea, Liverpool, PSG, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Milan and Juventus, among others; 297 sports sets (sweatsuit and pants) of similar brands and equipment; and 90 sports shirts, 40 of them from the Argentine National Team and 30 from River Plate.
After seizing the merchandise, Customs continued with the complaint of the fact before the National Economic Criminal Court No. 10, for the crime of smuggling.
Likewise, 24,210 cell phone cases with the Apple brand were found, 4,500 Ray Ban glasses; 660 Tommy Hilfiger sweaters; 209 T-shirts with brands such as Prada, Fendi, Versace, Armani and Gucci, among others, and 687 scarves with inscriptions of similar brands.
After seizing the merchandise, Customs continued with the complaint of the fact before the National Economic Criminal Court No. 10, for the crime of smuggling, typified in article 863 of the Customs Code.
Given that the estimated value of the merchandise amounts to USD 721,317, Customs could apply a minimum fine of USD 2,885,268which could rise even higher if trademark fraud is detected among the seized products.
