A modification of the General Rules and Standards applicable on Mexican Foreign Trade, aiming to facilitate a more effective approach of the customs authorities against counterfeited goods.
Due to an amendment of Mexican Customs Regulations, as effective on Friday, July 25, 2014, the importers of goods entering Mexican territory have to indicate whether such products are currently protected by a trademark registration at the Mexican Patent and Trademark Office.
If the goods are protected by a trademark, the importers will have to declare whether they are the legal holders of the rights protected by the registration or if they have the necessary authorization to use and/or distribute the goods protected by the registered trademark in Mexico.
In an effort to crackdown on counterfeiters more efficiently and to avoid unnecessary delays when dispatching legitimate merchandise through the Customs Office, Trademark owners are encouraged to register their trademarks, as well as the names of their authorized licensees and distributors with the Mexican Customs Office and the Mexican Trademark Office. The process is simple and it would prove useful to track illegal imports.
