A large consignment of suspected counterfeit Springbok rugby jerseys and other apparel with an estimated retail value of more than R43 million has been seized ahead of the 2011 Rugby World Cup that kicks off next month.
More than 66 000 Springbok rugby jerseys were among the sports goods that were seized in Cleveland, Johannesburg, by Customs officials from South African Revenue Service (SARS) supported by the South African Police Service (SAPS).
Acting on a tip-off, SARS Customs officials and police found a container with the suspected illegally imported goods being offloaded earlier this week. The contents of the container had been falsely declared as mannequins.
The SA rugby jerseys were already tagged for a leading sports apparel outlet, and were priced at R599.95 per jersey.
One suspect has been arrested and will be charged for making a false declaration in terms of Section 84 of the Customs and Excise Act 91 of 1964.
As with the 2010 FIFA World Cup last year, SARS anticipates an increase in smuggled, counterfeit goods of this nature.
SARS Customs officers together with other law enforcement agencies will increase their alertness to combat such illicit trade, particularly with smuggled or counterfeit clothing, textiles and footwear which pose a direct threat to the domestic textile industry and South African jobs.
Source: South African Revenue Service
Suspected counterfeit rugby jerseys valued at over R43 million seized
