LOUISVILLE, Ky—U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers in Louisville intercepted a shipment, arriving from Hong Kong, manifested as a jewelry set containing more than 1,200 pieces.
On January 5, CBP officers in Louisville halted the shipment that was bound for Hollywood, Florida. CBP officers inspected the parcel to determine the admissibility of its contents in accordance with CBP regulations.
The shipment contained 1,216 pieces of designer jewelry, which were reviewed by an import specialist who determined the items were counterfeit. If these items were real, the total MSRP for these would have been $707,160.
“Counterfeiters are focused on making a profit, no matter what the cost may be to consumers,” said Thomas Mahn, Port Director-Louisville. “Counterfeits damage the U.S. economy and promote other types of crimes, while strengthening organized crime and terrorism groups.”
Every year, CBP seizes millions of counterfeit goods from countries around the world as part of its mission to protect U.S. businesses and consumers. These goods include fake versions of popular products, such as smartphones and related accessories, electronics, apparel, shoes, cosmetics, and high-end luxury goods, as well as goods posing significant health and safety concerns, such as counterfeit pharmaceuticals, bicycle and motorcycle helmets, medical devices, supplements and other consumables. Sold online and in stores, counterfeit goods hurt the U.S. economy, cost Americans their jobs, threaten consumer health and safety, and fund criminal activity. Visit the National IPR Coordination Center for more information about IPR including counterfeiting and piracy.
Nationwide in Fiscal Year 2020, CBP seized 26,503 shipments containing goods that violated intellectual property rights. The total estimated value of the seized goods, had they been genuine, was nearly $1.3 billion.
CBP has established an educational initiative to raise consumer awareness about the consequences and dangers that are often 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.
CBP's border security mission is led at ports of entry by CBP officers from the Office of Field Operations. Please visit CBP Ports of Entry to learn more about how CBP’s Office of Field Operations secures our nation’s borders. Learn more about CBP at www.CBP.gov.