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  4. CBP Officers Seize Counterfeit Hoverboard Scooters at International Falls, Minn. Port of Entry

CBP Officers Seize Counterfeit Hoverboard Scooters at International Falls, Minn. Port of Entry

Release Date
Wed, 01/20/2016

INTERNATIONAL FALLS, Minn. — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Field Operations (OFO) officers working at the International Falls, Minnesota Port of Entry (POE) recently targeted a rail container destined to arrive at the Ranier, Minnesota POE. In early January, CBP officers inspected the rail container and discovered merchandise that violated multiple laws and regulations.

The merchandise consisted of 1,650 Smart Balance Hoverboard scooters and 90 motherboards. Examination of the merchandise revealed Bluetooth counterfeit trademark violations on both the scooters and motherboards. As a result, CBP seized those items. The counterfeit merchandise had an aggregate manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $645,252.Black Hoverboard Scooter (top view)

“CBP continues to play a key role in Intellectual Property Rights enforcement,” said Anthony “Tony” Jackson, the port director in International Falls. “CBP continues to stay focused on combating the illegitimate trade in counterfeit products."

Stopping the flow of illicit goods is a priority trade issue for CBP. The importation of counterfeit merchandise can damage the U.S. economy and threaten the health and safety of the American people. For more information on CBP’s Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) priority trade issue visit: CBP Trade and IPR.

With the growth of foreign trade, unscrupulous companies have profited billions of dollars from the sale of counterfeit and pirated goods. To combat the illicit trade of merchandise violating laws relating to IPR, trademark and copyright holders may register with CBP through an online system. Such registration assists CBP officers and import specialists in identifying merchandise that violate U.S. law.

CBP’s IPR enforcement strategy is multi-layered and includes seizing illegal merchandise at our borders, pushing the border “outward” through audits of suspect importers, cooperating with our international trading partners, and collaborating with industry and governmental agencies to enhance these efforts.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021