MINNEAPOLIS— U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers in Minneapolis intercepted a shipment containing more than 170 designer handbags and wallets worth more than $400,000.
On January 12, CBP officers in Minneapolis seized a shipment manifested as clothes. The parcel was inspected to determine if the goods were admissible in accordance with CBP regulations. Officers found 173 various handbags and wallets with logos from designers like Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Chanel and others.
Due to various inconsistencies, poor quality, and the incorrect packaging, further inspection by CBP import specialists determined the items were counterfeit. If they were authentic, the retail value would have been $405,975. The items came from Laos and were addressed to a residence in St. Paul.
“Our officers and import specialists have done an excellent job targeting shipments and identifying counterfeit items,” said Augustine Moore, Area Port Director-Minneapolis. “These types of violations negatively impact trademark holders and is dangerous to consumers, as well.”
Counterfeit merchandise is often made of inferior materials, manufactured under uncontrolled and unsanitary conditions and labeled with false information, potentially threatening the health and safety of buyers and users.
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.