Laredo, Texas. - Members of the Import Specialist Enforcement Team (ISET) at U.S. Customs and Border Protection's (CBP) Laredo port of entry targeted and seized counterfeit SD card players and radios valued at $151,000 that allegedly infringed on the registered SD trademark.
CBP import specialists from the Laredo ISET team targeted a shipment containing more than 5,000 pieces of electronic goods, specifically SD card players, radios, power chargers and remote controls for an enforcement examination. During the examination, conducted at the Colombia-Solidarity Bridge, CBP import specialists and officers observed that the card players and radios may be infringing on the SD trademark, which is trademark recorded with CBP. CBP import specialists detained the shipment pending verification of the possible trademark infringement with CBP HQ Intellectual and Property Rights (IPR) Branch.
After confirmation of trademark infringement from the HQ IPR Branch and lack of written authorization from the trademark owner for use of the SD registered trademark, CBP on January 27 determined the shipment to be counterfeit and seized it. The shipment has an estimated manufacturer's suggested retail price of $151,183 and a domestic value of $17,598.
"Our ISET team showed excellent targeting skill and knowledge of registered trademarks that ultimately resulted in the seizure of more than $151,000 in counterfeit electronic goods," said Joe Uribe, Acting CBP port director, Laredo. "Intellectual Property Rights is a priority trade issue for CBP so we applaud the work of our import specialists and officers for seizures like these that advance this important part of CBP's mission."
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.