Using customs to block counterfeits

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4. Using CUSTOMS to block counterfeits

WHAT are Customs?

Customs is the Government department in charge of enforcing

criminal law regarding importations and exportations, and

related intellectual property matters. They are the entity you

must contact if you want non-authorised copies of products

that infringe your IP rights to be seized, for example.

Customs in Macao: What you need to know

The Macao Customs Service has the power to enforce

criminal law regarding intellectual property both at the border

(importations and exportations) and anywhere else in Macao.

For example, customs can and will act if a shop in Macao is

selling trade marked products without the authorisation of

the trade mark owner, or if someone is importing products

that infringe a patent registered in Macao. However, given the

nature of intellectual property, Customs may not be aware of

a criminal infringement without the cooperation of the right

owner. You should be proactive, monitoring the use of your

intellectual property and alerting Customs in every case of a

suspected criminal infringement of your rights.

Note that Customs have no authority to enforce the law

when the infringement has no criminal nature (examples of

criminal infringement - see below in section 5).

The address and contact details of the Customs are:

Customs Bldg., S. Tiago da Barra St. D. Carlos I Pier, SW, Barra,

Macao

Tel.: +853 28559944

Fax: +853 28371136

E-mail: info@customs.gov.mo

Website: http://www.customs.gov.mo

HOW do I register?

It is not possible to register with Customs to protect your

Intellectual Property. Instead, you must present a complaint

to them whenever you are aware of a criminal infringement

of your IP rights (for example, if you know that someone is

importing to Macao products that infringe your patent).

Which LANGUAGES can I use?

Chinese and Portuguese are the ocial languages in Macao.

Customs have no obligation to accept your complaint if it is

presented in another language.

How much does it COST?

You do not have to pay any fee to present a complaint to

Customs.

IP Factsheet: Macao

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