MIAMI—U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the Miami International Airport have intercepted 505 shipments of counterfeit and pirated merchandise with an estimated manufacturer's suggested retail price of $86,939,519 over the past six months.
"One of CBP's priorities is protecting the United States and consumers from the economic devastation associated with the trafficking of counterfeit goods," said Roland Suliveras, CBP port director, at Miami International Airport.
As the federal agency responsible for border protection, CBP plays a role on the frontline of intellectual property rights enforcement as CBP conducts seizure of goods infringing upon trademarks, trade names and copyrights.
By interdicting these fake goods, CBP aggressively protects unsuspecting American consumers and private industry from infringing substandard or potentially dangerous products. This serious crime not only funds criminal activity but undermines America's economic competitiveness, the health and safety of consumers, and our national security.
CBP continues to partner with other federal agencies, the trade community, and the trademark holders to enhance the agency's intellectual property rights enforcement efforts. As CBP continues to intercept these counterfeit and pirated goods, the agency must facilitate the release of legitimate cargo. This is a delicately balanced mission that the agency takes very seriously.