Customs Recordation GACC

Border Enforcement

Customs officials monitor shipments using the registered database to identify suspected counterfeits during routine inspections at major ports. When port officers discover suspicious cargo, they issue a formal notification to the trademark owner, who then has a limited window of three to five working days to confirm the infringement. The owner must provide a security bond to the port authority to initiate the formal detention of the shipment.

This active monitoring distinguishes Chinese border control from many Western jurisdictions, where customs officers generally do not act on their own initiative to halt suspected exports. This procedural agility allows brand owners to interdict counterfeit items before they enter maritime supply chains.

Registration Step

Securing this protection requires a formal application process submitted through the online portal of the General Administration of Customs. The applicant must submit a copy of their Chinese trademark certificate, corporate registration documents, and details of authorized manufacturers. Any discrepancy in the name of the owner or the registered goods can result in the immediate rejection of the filing.

Once approved, the recordation remains valid for up to ten years or until the underlying trademark expires.

Seizure Process

Following the detection of infringing goods, the administrative process requires the right holder to pay a deposit that covers potential storage fees and damages to the exporter if the goods are later found to be genuine. The customs authority will then investigate the shipment and make an administrative ruling on the infringement within thirty working days. If the goods are confirmed to be counterfeit, they are confiscated and the deposit is returned to the brand owner.

This system provides a practical remedy that stops counterfeit products at the source of manufacture.