Customs Laws

India’s vast network of seaports, airports, and inland ports makes it a critical hub in the global trade ecosystem—and unfortunately, a hotspot for the entry of counterfeit and infringing goods. At Fidus Law Chambers, our Customs Law and Border Enforcement practice helps clients protect their intellectual property rights at the border through strategic legal counsel, procedural execution, and direct engagement with customs authorities across India.

Under the Customs Act, 1962, and the Intellectual Property Rights (Imported Goods) Enforcement Rules, 2007, the Indian legal framework provides brand owners and IP rights holders with an effective mechanism to intercept and prevent the import of counterfeit or pirated goods. These provisions empower rights holders to register their IP with Indian Customs and request proactive intervention whenever infringing goods are suspected of entering the country.

Our team of experienced customs lawyers in India supports clients throughout the lifecycle of IP border enforcement—starting with the e-recordation of intellectual property rights through the Indian Customs IPR module, a necessary prerequisite for effective action at ports of entry.

Once rights are recorded, we continue to work closely with clients and customs officials to monitor potential shipments, identify counterfeits and track high-risk importers or distributors. Our services include drafting detailed product manuals, brand guides, and comparison tools that help customs officials differentiate genuine goods from counterfeit ones. These tools are critical in helping customs officers make quick and informed decisions on the ground.

Our firm conducts customs training workshops and brand sensitization sessions tailored to client needs. These sessions are conducted both at a general level—to improve overall awareness of counterfeiting trends—and at a client-specific level, focusing on brand identification, packaging markers, and the latest tactics used by infringers. These proactive training programs are a critical part of any effective anti-counterfeiting customs strategy, enabling officials to intercept infringing goods efficiently and with confidence.

We manage the entire enforcement process, from the detention of goods and issuance of show cause notices to representation before adjudicating authorities, coordinating responses, and obtaining seizure or destruction orders. Our team also handles appeals before relevant customs appellate bodies and tribunals when disputes arise. We provide seamless, end-to-end legal support, ensuring that rights holders are never left navigating customs enforcement alone.

Fidus Law Chambers represents a wide range of domestic and international clients in customs proceedings at India’s major ports. Our team’s familiarity with regional customs zones and authorities ensures that actions are pursued with speed and efficiency, minimizing disruption to clients’ supply chains while maximizing the effectiveness of enforcement.

We also advise clients on customs compliance strategy in the context of parallel imports, grey market goods, and legitimate third-party imports that may impact brand value. In all matters, we balance strong enforcement with pragmatic commercial counsel to help clients protect their brand while maintaining market integrity.

With the increasing sophistication of global counterfeiting operations, IP enforcement at Indian borders has never been more critical. Our customs lawyers in India bring a deep understanding of legal frameworks, on-the-ground enforcement experience, and close working relationships with customs authorities to deliver results that protect both IP and consumers.

At Fidus Law Chambers, we believe that effective border enforcement of intellectual property rights is the first line of defense against counterfeit trade. Whether you are a multinational rights holder or an emerging brand, our legal and strategic support ensures that infringing goods are stopped at the point of entry—before they reach the marketplace.