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  4. CBP Seizes Counterfeit Goods Valued at Over $108K

CBP Seizes Counterfeit Goods Valued at Over $108K

Release Date
Wed, 06/03/2020

Rings, purses, headphones, sunglasses, coolers among fake items

DALLAS – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at the Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) International Airport intercepted an international shipment containing over $108,000 in counterfeit famous and luxury brands items.

This counterfeit ring was intercepted in Dallas.
CBP officers in Dallas intercepted this fake  ring
that was shipped internationally to U.S.

The shipment originated in Hong Kong and was destined for Sanger, Texas, a city outside of Dallas.

CBP officers intercepted a shipment and after reviewing the information in the shipping documents, selected it for examination.  During the examination, officers discovered three Tiffany & Co rings, six Louis Vuitton handbags, seven pairs of Chanel and Gucci sunglasses, Powerbeats Beats by Dre headphones, seven Apple AirPod Pros and two Yeti coolers.

“Violations of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) is not a victimless crime,” said CBP Dallas Area Port Director Timothy Lemaux. “These types of crimes hurt businesses; their employees whose livelihood depends on the success of that business; the consumers who frequent those businesses and the consumers who unwittingly purchase substandard counterfeit goods.”

CBP officers contacted CBP’s Consumer Products and Mass Merchandising Center of Excellence and Expertise’s import specialists to determine their authenticity.  After careful examination and coordination with the trademark owners, import specialists determined on May 13, 2020 that the products were in fact counterfeit. 

These fake sunglasses were among seized items
Among the counterfeit goods  CBP officers seized were fake
Gucci sunglasses.

CBP officers then seized the entire shipment containing 26 items and contacted the importer to advise that the items were seized.

In fiscal year 2019, CBP effected 27,599 IPR seizures. Had these seized items been genuine, the total estimated manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) was over $1.5 billion, up from $1.4 billion in fiscal year 2018.

In an effort to raise consumer awareness about the consequences and dangers associated with the purchase of counterfeit and pirated goods, CBP established an educational initiative at U.S. airports and online.  This public awareness campaign, the Truth Behind Counterfeits debuted in 2017 at six international airports including DFW International Airport. 

Anyone with information regarding suspected fraud or illegal trade activity, can report suspected trade violations to e-Allegations Online Trade Violation Reporting System or by calling 1-800-BE-ALERT. 

 IPR violations can also be reported to the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center or by telephone at 1-866-IPR-2060.

 

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between official ports of entry. CBP is charged with securing the borders of the United States while enforcing hundreds of laws and facilitating lawful trade and travel.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021