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  4. CBP Seizes $12 Million in Counterfeit Goods in Operation Super Fake

CBP Seizes $12 Million in Counterfeit Goods in Operation Super Fake

Release Date
Wed, 02/04/2015

CINCINNATI—U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) interdicted nearly 700 shipments of counterfeit merchandise valued at $12 million as a part of a Super Bowl XLIX focused operation conducted from January 26 through 29 at the express consignment facility in Cincinnati.

Team apparel were among the array nearly hundreds of shipments interdicted

Team apparel were among the array nearly hundreds of shipments interdicted.

“This operation demonstrates CBP’s commitment to protecting our citizens from the threats posed by counterfeits,” said Brenda Smith, assistant commissioner, Office of International Trade. “Our CBP Officers and trade experts remain vigilant in detecting these violations and enforcing all trade laws.”

$12 million is the estimated manufacturer’s suggested retail price if the trademarks on the seized merchandise had been genuine. Included in the hundreds of shipments were team apparel items with a counterfeit NFL trademark.

Operation Super Fake was led by CBP’s Mobile Intellectual Property Rights Enforcement Team (MIPET), in partnership with the Apparel, Footwear and Textile Center of Excellence and Expertise, and the Area Port of Cleveland. CBP’s MIPET is a special task force of top intellectual property rights enforcement experts within the agency. They perform Intellectual Property Rights enforcement operations on the front lines to prevent the entry of counterfeit goods into the U.S. 

Team apparel were among the array nearly hundreds of shipments interdicted

Team apparel were among the array nearly hundreds of shipments interdicted.

“Through their diligence and attention to detail, the hard working CBP Officers and staff from the Port of Cincinnati were extremely successful at enforcing Intellectual Property Rights during this operation,” said Richard L. Gillespie, Port Director, CBP Port of Cincinnati, Ohio. “Their dedication and commitment to the mission of CBP is vital in preventing counterfeit goods from entering the U.S. commerce.”

The enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights is a CBP Priority Trade Issue. Priority Trade Issues represent high-risk areas that can cause significant revenue loss, harm the U.S. economy, or threaten the health and safety of the American people. They drive the risk-informed investment of CBP resources as well as enforcement and facilitation efforts, including special enforcement operations, outreach, and regulatory initiatives.

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: Oct 07, 2022