EU-China Customs Cooperation on IPR Enforcement

The 7th Experts' Meeting in the context of EU-China Customs Cooperation took place in Ningbo, China, from May 5-9, 2014.

In coordination with the EC's Directorate-General for Taxation and Customs Union (DG TAXUD) and the General Administration of Customs of China, a five-day meeting was held in Ningbo, consisting of plenary meetings, working group meetings, and a meeting with the locally-based European and Chinese industry. This meeting brought together the European and Chinese members of the sea port and airport networks, as well as representatives from the GACC, DG TAXUD, and OLAF.

This exchange contributes to the new EU-China Customs IPR Action Plan (2014-2017) which was signed was during the EU-China Joint Customs Cooperation Committee (JCCC) meeting in Beijing on 16 May. The IP Action Plan aims at:

·       Better exploiting the available information on IPR detention and seizure data for trend and risk analysis;

·       Enhanced targeting of high risk consignments by improved information exchange on all relevant cases within the network of seaports, airports and other customs control points;

·       Facilitation of cross-border cooperation between Customs and other enforcement authorities;

·       Setting up specific activities to enhance the cooperation with right holders in deterring cross-border IPR infringement;

·       Improving knowledge and experience of each other's IPR enforcement policies and practices.

The GACC has been awarded for the successful results of its activity in seizing infringing products at export. The proportion of goods detained at the EU border shipped from China has decreased. Border protection however can be further enhanced through research on modes of transportation of infringing products, corresponding strategies at national levels and stronger promotion of the use of customs protection mechanisms for IPR. There is a continuous need therefore to ensure that European and Chinese Customs officials are aware of respective IPR enforcement legal procedures and techniques, best practices, risk analysis methods and general risk trends, prevention techniques, nurture cross-agency contacts and share resources at their disposal. This activity builds on the first EU-China Customs IPR Action Plan in January 2009 with an implementation period ending in December 2012.