How To Empower Chinese Customs Authorities

    Developing a good relationship with Customs and arming officials with information about your brand and products is key to strengthening protection at the borders.

    The General Administration of Customs (GAC) is regularly looking to improve its ability to enforce IP rights in China. In a new effort to improve its standards, it aims to designate a training plan at the end of each year based on trends in customs seizures.

    Generally speaking, the GAC will seek to engage with brands that face frequent infringement and is open to working with those that show a strong willingness to participate in the programme. While the GAC may reach out to brand owners with which it is familiar or about which it is particularly concerned, any brand owner may request to engage in customs training and may be granted an opportunity to train officers depending on the existing schedule. That said, training sessions are popular and the annual schedule fills up quickly, so