SaleHoo

[SparklesJax]

Ok, so I made my first wholesale purchase (just 4 units as a sample). NZ customs have retained my package stating that it is under investigation for suspected breech of the Trade Marks Act and/or Copyright Act. In other words they think they are fake (which they almost certainly are). I brought hair straightners from china and was not particularly worried that they might be fake as I intended to use one myself and give the others to sisters/friends etc. I did not intend to onsell them (although I confess to being interested in seeing what the quality was like). The letter says I could be prosecuted in the High Court and suggests I should let them destroy them (by signing a consent form). My question is: How do I avoid this happening in the future? I have been researching a number of items which I would not want detained (that would be more substantial money down the toilet). Can I ask NZ Customs to return the parcel "return to sender" and ask the wholesaler for a refund? Suggestions/Comments appreciated. Thanks.

[fudjj]

No choice, you've been sprung.

Only way forward for you now is to tell them to throw them in the fire and kiss your money goodbye.

You could try the wholesaler for a refund, but my guess would be that's just a waste of time. They know very well what happens to their products when customs gets one, it happens all over the planet every day of the week.

The only thing you are going to do now by trying to buck the system and not give them authorisation is to destroy the items is give them reason to mark your name down and keep an eye on all future shipments.


Next time they catch you you won't get a letter, you'll get a knock at the door.

You can't fight them, it's like a speeding ticket, pain in the rear, but you just have to throw your hands in the air and say, yep, you got me!

How do you avoid this in the future?, don't import fakes again lol.

[SparklesJax]

Thanks Fudjj, thats what I suspected. But now im intriged. How do these products get into our market then?? Was mine stopped randomly or do they stop all items of certain types (on some sort of product hit list)? Im struggling now to find an item that is 'generic' without any form of branding.... I would love to speak to someone in NZ that imports regularly to learn some tips. Cant afford to loose more $$. Am also concerned cause I have other shipments of other products on their way to NZ. Things like 'as seen on TV' products... are these generic enough.... what is a guide? Bummer! I was just starting to gain confidence about this too lol.

[fudjj]

You will find that they have a hit list of certain suppliers that they watch out for, so you may well of been caught in that, or of course it could well of been a random find.

Goods from China will usually attract some form attention from customs, at least multiple goods of the same kind usually will because customs know what to look out for.

It's true, some do get away with it, but as time goes by brand owners are really starting to step up on clamping down on fakes, they are simply taking too much of the brand owners market, so customs should only be getting tighter on loads really.

You're pretty safe with anything that is not branded, if it's a replica of a branded product then that's fine, it just can't have any trade mark infringements such as brand name, logo, that type of thing.

Not an easy market to crack, you need to find the right replica, the right price, the right supplier and then hope like hatties that the market is still strong by the time you start selling : )

[Haydee]

Hi SparklesJax,

I'm sorry to hear about what happened. What was the brand name of the hair straightener? Is this supplier in our directory? If yes, you can file a supplier complaint so we can investigate on it? Also, please make a supplier review for the benefit of other members.

I also suggest that you try to contact your supplier and see if you can come to a resolution.

Best regards,

[SparklesJax]

Me again lol. So, I have looked into importing some apparel from a DH Gate supplier. Good feedback etc. There are a couple of different items I like that I think will sell well. However, some of them are 'minor' labels (in our country at least) - Ed Hardy. The DH Gate supplier said that the documentation they include does not state the brand. Simply will say 'shorts' or 'tee-shirts" etc. What do you think my chances are of getting small quantities of these into NZ? (less than 30 items at a time). Or am i still pushing it lol. Advice appreciated, before I throw more $$ away.

[Haydee]

Hi SparklesJax,

This is something that you need to clarify with the NZ Customs. Upon checking, I couldn't find Hardy Life (trademark owner of Ed Hardy) in the list of Intellectual Property Rights Notices that are accepted by NZ Customs but to be sure, it is better to contact them directly.

Here's the link: ** Link Removed: Only Available to Registered Members**

Also, the documentation won't be official if the brand name is not specified.

Hope that helps!