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  4. CBP seizes counterfeit salt lamps, duck decoys at Portal Port of Entry

CBP seizes counterfeit salt lamps, duck decoys at Portal Port of Entry

Release Date
Mon, 10/30/2017

PORTAL, N.D. — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Field Operations officers working at the Portal Port of Entry recently targeted a rail container destined to arrive in Portal. Earlier this month, CBP officers inspected multiple rail containers and discovered salt lamps and duck decoys in violation of intellectual property rights (IPR) regulations.

Duck decoys
CBP officers at the Portal Port of Entry
seized a shipment of duck decoys that
violated intellectual property rights
regulations.

While inspecting the merchandise, CBP officers discovered counterfeit markings on the duck decoys and salt

lamps. As a result, CBP officers seized 13,336 salt lamps with an aggregate manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $266,586 as well as 1,202 duck decoys with an aggregate manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $120,200.

“Preventing the entry of counterfeit products to the United States markets is a priority for CBP,” said Brent Beeter, Portal Port Director. “CBP is committed to protecting consumers and enforcing U.S. trade laws.”

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 IPR priority trade issue visit: CBP Trade and IPR.

salt lamps
CBP officers at the Portal Port of Entry
seized salt lamps for bearing counterfeit
markings.

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.

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 the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021