The Ministry of Economic Development has issued a strong warning against involvement with counterfeit 2011 Rugby World Cup goods.
The ministry has laid charges against CL NZ Trading Company Limited and its director Terry Lung Chan who is accused of importing more than 1000 fake rugby cup t-shirts. He is due to appear in the Auckland District Court on 6 May.
The charges are the first to be laid under the Major Events Management Act.
The goods were intercepted at Customs and the ministry says a comprehensive border and post-border detection process is in place.
It says it's serious about intercepting counterfeit Rugby World Cup 2011 merchandise and prosecuting those involved.
The ministry says consumers should take care to ensure the product is genuine and from an official supplier.
