Enforcement
Customs protection can cover Chinese trademark, copyright-related, and patent rights connected with import or export goods.
A national GACC recordal makes ex officio screening and rights-holder contact more workable.
For recorded rights, a rights holder may have only three working days after notice to request detention and provide security.
Product authentication, authorised-trade data, contacts, and security arrangements must be ready before an alert.
Send us the issue, the relevant rights, and any deadline. We will route it to the right practice lead within one business day.
Contact UsA Customs recordal gives GACC structured information about the right, legitimate goods, authorised users, ports, product features, and known infringement. The official online guide states that eligible Chinese trademark, copyright and related rights, and patent rights can be recorded, and the service is currently free of official charge.
For a trademark-focused explanation of the filing stage, see our guide to China Customs trademark recordal. Recordal quality matters: vague product descriptions and outdated contacts reduce the chance of a useful alert.
When Customs identifies suspected goods involving a recorded right, it notifies the rights holder. The current regulations provide a three-working-day window from service of notice for the rights holder to request detention and provide the required security. Route alerts to a monitored address with named primary and backup responders.
Immediately verify the right, shipment, exporter or importer, consignee, product photographs, quantities, and possible authorised channels. Obtain client instructions and arrange security without waiting for a full global investigation.
Prepare a product guide showing genuine and counterfeit indicators, model and lot coding, packaging, security features, authorised factories, typical prices, and supporting photographs. State the conclusion and reasons clearly, and separate suspected trademark, copyright, design, and technical patent issues.
Customs may need additional documents or samples. Keep the expert or business contact available and preserve every version of the authentication submission.
A detention request generally requires security to cover potential losses and storage or disposal costs if the request proves improper. The amount and form depend on the applicable procedure. Rights holders should arrange internal authority, banking, and service-provider support in advance.
Provide accurate information. If Customs cannot find goods or act effectively because the recordal or request was inaccurate, the rights holder bears the practical consequences and may face liability where an improper detention causes loss.
After detention, track Customs findings, disposition, storage costs, samples, and information lawfully available about the trader and route. Update the recordal with new identifiers. Serious or repeated activity may support civil, administrative, platform, or criminal follow-up. The objective is to turn one border event into intelligence that reduces the next shipment.
General Administration of Customs: IP Recordal Service Guide
GACC: Regulations on Customs Protection of Intellectual Property Rights
This article is general information about Chinese IP practice, not legal advice for a specific matter. It was last reviewed on 2026-08-21. Rules, fees, and timelines change; confirm current requirements before acting. For advice on your situation, contact our team.