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  4. Counterfeit Shipment with 550 Pounds of Fake Apple, Samsung Products Seized by Cincinnati CBP

Counterfeit Shipment with 550 Pounds of Fake Apple, Samsung Products Seized by Cincinnati CBP

Release Date
Fri, 12/18/2020

CINCINNATI— Holiday shopping is wrapping up for the 2020 season, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) would like to remind shoppers to exercise caution while looking for last-minute gifts. The adage “you get what you pay for” is good advice when trying to decide if a product is counterfeit, or genuine and worthy of your hard-earned cash. Chargers

U.S. consumers spend more than $100 billion every year on intellectual property rights (IPR) infringing goods, falling victim to approximately 20% of all counterfeits illegally sold worldwide.

Cincinnati CBP officers put that statistic in focus Wednesday, when they seized a shipment from Hong Kong that contained multiple boxes of electronic adapters, cables, earbuds, and chargers, all bearing serial numbers and logos of Apple, Fox Comm, or Samsung brands. The total Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the shipment was $49,666.00, had the goods been genuine. All of the items were deemed counterfeit by CBP’s Centers of Excellence and Expertise.

“E-commerce might be convenient for shoppers, but it can be just as convenient for counterfeiters by way of third-party platforms,” said Cincinnati Port Director Richard Gillespie. “Many people may not realize that the creation of counterfeits can involve forced labor, human trafficking, and can fund other criminal activity. Likewise, counterfeit products may be dangerous because of nonexistent quality standards. Our officers work hard 24 hours a day to protect the economy and our citizens from these kinds of transnational criminals who defraud businesses and consumers alike.”

IPR protection is a priority trade issue for CBP, and the agency has established an educational initiative to raise consumer awareness about the consequences and dangers associated with the purchase of counterfeit and pirated goods. Information about the Truth Behind Counterfeits public awareness campaign can be found at https://www.cbp.gov/FakeGoodsRealDangers. Suspected violations can be reported to CBP here.

Follow CBP on Twitter @CBPChicago and @DFOChicago.

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