Major seizure of blank media in Argentina

January 09, 2007

Argentine Customs began the New Year with a major seizure of 3 million blank CDRs/DVDs at the Port of Buenos Aires. The investigation was initiated over a month ago and began to take effect when Customs officials noticed a significant difference in the declared weight of the targeted shipment and its actual weight. The goods in question had been declared as 'general electronics and optical media'; and showed some "risk factors" such as origination from Taiwan that prompted Customs to conduct a more thorough review.

In collaboration with a local anti-piracy team (Apdif Argentina), it was determined that the declared importers were not involved in electronics or optical media business. They were summoned by Customs to provide the original importation documents, however, they did not do so and the entire shipment, including three containers, was seized as suspected contraband.

The investigation continues but preliminary intelligence indicates that the declared importers were fronting for a third party suspected of providing the blank optical media to the pirate market. The estimated retail value of the media seized was almost 25 million pesos or $US8 million.

For more information please contact:
Emilio Garcia, IFPI Latin America
Email: egarcia@ifpi.org