U.S. Customs seizes 11 batches of counterfeit jewelry and strengthens scrutiny of imported e-commerce goods

It is learned that according to foreign media reports, from December 1 to 7, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials seized 11 batches of goods containing counterfeit jewelry at the Port of Cincinnati. These goods came from India, Hong Kong and Indonesia, and if they were genuine, the total value would exceed US$6.96 million.

One of the shipments was reportedly seized on December 1. The shipment originated in Hong Kong and contained 783 pieces of counterfeit jewelry, including well-known high-end brands such as Fendi, Versace, Cartier, Christian Dior and Tiffany & Co. According to CBP, the shipment was destined for a private residence in North Carolina. Officials seized it based on cheap generic packaging, lack of fine details and route planning. If calculated based on the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of the genuine products, the total value of the shipment is as high as $992,046.

CBP intercepted a second shipment of counterfeit jewelry on Dec. 2, also from Hong Kong. The shipment contained 60 pieces of jewelry from brands including Cartier, Michael Kors, Tory Burch and Gucci. The following day, on Dec. 3, CBP seized a counterfeit Audemars Piguet watch in a shipment from Indonesia. According to CBP, the two shipments were destined for private residences in North Carolina and Maryland.

On December 6, U.S. Customs officials seized six shipments of counterfeit jewelry at the Port of Cincinnati. One shipment contained 650 counterfeit Van Cleef earrings, bracelets and necklaces with a total value of more than $1,700,000. Another shipment contained 102 Rolex watches and Gucci belts, which would have been worth more than $3,000,000 if they were genuine. In addition, the remaining four shipments contained a Franck Muller watch, a Cartier watch, a Tissot watch and five Apple watches.

It is learned that on December 7, two more batches of counterfeit jewelry were seized by CBP. One batch involved Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Van Cleef & Arpels, and Dior brands. The other batch involved Adidas, Coach, Tous, Gucci, and Rolex watches, totaling 125 pieces.

CBP pointed out that these counterfeit goods are mainly imported into the United States through e-commerce platforms and circulated in the market. Alrick Brooks, director of the Port of Cincinnati, said: "With the rapid development of e-commerce, counterfeit and shoddy products are rampant on major shopping websites. CBP is committed to protecting national security in many ways, including promoting fair and compliant trade. At the same time, CBP encourages shoppers to buy holiday gifts from reputable websites and merchants."

“CBP officers are expertly trained to identify illicit goods and will work diligently to stem the flow of illicit trade,” said LaFonda D. Sutton-Burke, director of the Chicago Customs Field Office.

According to previous reports by CBP, American consumers spend more than $100 billion each year on goods that infringe intellectual property rights, and they purchase approximately 20% of the world's counterfeit goods.

Editor ✎ Nicole/

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