INDIANAPOLIS– Collectors and fans clamor for championship rings from their favorite collegiate or pro sports team, with some paying top dollar for the real thing. Officers with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in Indianapolis recently seized a shipment from China carrying more than 300 counterfeit collegiate and pro championship rings.
The parcel was held for inspection related to the admissibility of its contents in accordance with CBP regulations. When the officers opened the package they found 307 counterfeit college and pro sports championship rings inside. The intercepted rings were sent to an import specialist for evaluation. The specialist noticed the rings appeared new, were of poor quality, had poor and improper packaging, a low declared value, were inaccurately declared, and lacked or had improper security features. The specialist deemed them counterfeit. Had the rings been real, the MSRP would have been $323,860.
“I’m extremely proud of our officers determination in stopping illicit shipments, and our commitment to protecting the American economy,” said James Moore, Port Director-Indianapolis. “Shipments like these prey on the many sports fans across the nation who may be tricked into paying high prices for this junk.”
The parcel contained fake Championship rings for LSU (159) the Dallas Cowboys (112), various NBA rings (20), Texas Longhorns (11), and the New York Mets (5). The shipment was destined to one recipient in Wesley Chapel, Florida.
Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) enforcement is a Priority Trade Issue. Importation of counterfeit merchandise can cause significant revenue loss, damage the U.S. economy, and threaten the health and safety of American people. In partnership with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, CBP seized 27,599 shipments with IPR violations in fiscal year 2019. If the seized products were genuine, the total manufacturer’s suggested retail price of the items would have been valued at over $1.5 billion.
Over the past five years, e-commerce has grown exponentially as consumers are increasingly completing purchases online. These purchases are typically shipped through international mail and express courier services.
If you are aware of, or suspect, a company or individual of infringing upon a trademark or copyright, please report the suspected violation to e-Allegations Online Trade Violation Reporting System or by calling 1-800-BE-ALERT.