CINCINNATI–-Last Thursday, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers in Cincinnati seized two shipments of jewelry and watches deemed to be counterfeit by CBP’s Centers of Excellence and Expertise. 
The first shipment originated from Shenzen, China, and was destined to a private residence in Norcross Georgia. Although it had a declared value of $315, the package held 171 items of jewelry or watches labeled as Versace, Michael Kors, Cartier, Salvatore Ferragamo, Dior, Tiffany, Bulgari, Armani, Hugo Boss, Burberry, Hublot, Patek Phillippe, Audemars Piguet, Louis Vuitton, Fossil, Omega, or Rolex. Had the 171 items been genuine, the cumulative Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) would have been $8,419,017.
The second shipment came through a freight forwarder in Hong Kong and was destined to an individual in West Palm Beach, Florida. This shipment contained 113 counterfeit Cartier bracelets with a total MSRP $1,170,000, had they been real.
“These large seizures illustrate the work our officers do every day to protect our country, its citizens, and the economy,” said Cincinnati Port Director Richard Gillespie. “Our officers are dedicated to preventing counterfeiters from defrauding consumers and legitimate businesses."
Intellectual property rights (IPR) violations are associated with smuggling and other criminal activities, and often funds criminal enterprises. CBP Trade protects the intellectual property rights of American businesses, safeguarding them from unfair competition and use for malicious intent while upholding American innovation and ingenuity. Suspected violations can be reported to CBP here.
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