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  1. Home
  2. Trade
  3. Priority Trade Issues
  4. Intellectual Property Rights

Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)

Beware the Dangers of Counterfeits

Counterfeits threaten both the American economy and the health and safety of citizens.

The Truth Behind Counterfeits

The Dangers of Illicit Trade of Goods

IPR logo

The trade of counterfeit and pirated goods threatens America’s innovation economy, the competitiveness of our businesses, the livelihoods of U.S. workers, and, in some cases, national security and the health and safety of consumers. Protect yourself and your family by avoiding potentially dangerous counterfeit items.

Trade of illegitimate goods is associated with smuggling and other criminal activities, and often funds criminal enterprises. CBP and partner government agencies work side-by-side to protect the intellectual property rights of American businesses. Safeguarding them from unfair competition, and loss of consumer trust, while upholding American innovation and ingenuity.

  • Help CBP Protect Your IPR

    Counterfeit Birkin bags.

    Partner with CBP to receive border enforcement on registered trademarks and copyrights.

    CBP e-Recordation Program

  • Combat Against IPR Violations in Trade

    Cargo ships in the ocean.

    Learn how you can partner with CBP to protect and enforce IPR at U.S. borders.

    IPR Best Practices

Additional Information

  • Fake Goods

    Illustration of CBP officers inspecting goods at shipping dock.

    We all buy stuff online - it's often quick, easy and cheap. But is it always safe? Learn about the dangers of counterfeits.

    Watch the CBP Video

  • Think Again: McGruff the Crime Dog

    McGruff the Crime Dog with text that reads Think Again.

    McGruff the Crime Dog is back with the Go For Real campaign to take a bite out of Counterfeits.

    Watch the YouTube Video

CBP targets and seizes imports of counterfeit and pirated goods entering the United States. Additionally, CBP enforces exclusion orders that the U.S. International Trade Commission issues under Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 on patent infringing and other IPR violative goods.

IPR Seizure Statistics that includes a cargo ship at sea; text "Seized 19,522 shipments containing goods that violated Intellectual Property Rights", officer investigating a package; text "The seized goods equated to nearly 23 million counterfeit goods", and piles of money; text "if the products were genuine, the total estimated manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of the seized good surpassed $2.75 billion USD"

Top Seized Commodity

Wearing Apparel/Accessories topped the list for number of seizure lines with 26,891 products, representing 26.2% of all IPR seizures in FY 2023. Watches/Jewelry were among the top products seized in terms of total MSRP value with seizures valued at over $1 billion (USD), representing 38.4% of the total value of goods seized in FY 2023. Handbags/Wallets came in second with an estimated value of over $658 million (USD), corresponding to approximately 23.9% of the total value of goods seized due to intellectual property rights violations.

In FY 2023, CBP processed over 1 billion de minimis shipments (shipments valued at under $800). CBP has been working to improve trade risk management in the e-commerce environment by working closely with the trade community and operating two test pilot programs, the Section 321 Data Pilot and the Entry Type 86 Test. In FY 2023, CBP received 785.7 million filings on de minimis shipments (162.5 million Section 321 Data Pilot filings; 623.1 million Entry Type 86 filings). The Entry Type 86 filings accounted for over 60% of all de minimis shipments. For more information about e-commerce and the related pilot programs, please visit the E-Commerce webpage.

Last Modified: Dec 05, 2024