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  4. U.S. – China Joint Intellectual Property Rights Enforcement Operation

U.S. – China Joint Intellectual Property Rights Enforcement Operation

Release Date
Thu, 09/15/2016

WASHINGTON—U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the General Administration of Customs of the Peoples’ Republic of China (GACC) conducted their second joint intellectual property rights (IPR) enforcement operation in April.  The month-long operation resulted in the seizure of over 1,400 shipments of counterfeit automobile parts, electronics, identification tags and labels, certain pharmaceutical products, bags, shoes, and other apparel products. 

U.S. – China Joint Intellectual Property Rights Enforcement Operation
U.S. – China Joint Intellectual Property
Rights Enforcement Operation

During the operation, both CBP and GACC focused on stopping shipments of IPR infringing goods from entering U.S. commerce, with CBP making seizures at the U.S. border and GACC interdicting exports of counterfeit goods destined to the United States. 

The Office of Trade’s IPR Policy & Programs Director, Mr. Michael Walsh, explained, “The United States and China have a lot of enforcement concerns in common, and being able to talk about them and to work in collaboration is a big step in the right direction.  We are confident that this meeting has helped to expand the working relationship between our two countries.”

CBP will continue to work closely with GACC to tackle IPR issues, as China remains the top exporting country for counterfeit and pirated goods to the United States.  The two customs agencies will continue to share information and seizure data to effectively target shipments of IPR infringing goods.

Intellectual Property Rights is a CBP Priority Trade Issue. This joint operation is an example of how CBP works with international partners to accomplish a common goal of deterring and disrupting illegal trade in IPR infringing products.  For additional information on CBP’s IPR enforcement efforts, see www.cbp.gov/trade/priority-issues/ipr

If you have any suspicion of or information regarding suspected fraud or illegal trade activity, please contact CBP through the e-Allegations website or by calling 1-800-BE-ALERT.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021