PORTAL, N.D. — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Field Operations officers working at the Portal Port of Entry targeted a rail container destined to Minneapolis. In May, CBP officers inspected the rail container in Portal and discovered merchandise in violation of intellectual property rights (IPR) regulations.
The merchandise consisted of 887 coolers with built-in stereo systems. Examination of the coolers revealed counterfeit markings. As a result, CBP seized those items. The counterfeit merchandise has an aggregate manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $170,235.
“Counterfeiting adversely affects intellectual property rights holders by stealing the original ideas and the ability to make a profit from them,” said Brent Beeter, Portal Port Director. “Consumers are also harmed because manufacturers of counterfeit products have little motivation to use high-quality materials.”
Stopping the flow of illicit goods is a priority trade issue for CBP. The importation of counterfeit merchandise can damage the U.S. economy and threaten the health and safety of the American people. For more information on CBP’s IPR priority trade issue visit: CBP Trade and IPR.
With the growth of foreign trade, unscrupulous companies have profited billions of dollars from the sale of counterfeit and pirated goods. To combat the illicit trade of merchandise violating laws relating to IPR, trademark and copyright holders may register with CBP through an online system. Such registration assists CBP officers and import specialists in identifying merchandise that violate U.S. law.
CBP’s IPR enforcement strategy is multi-layered and includes seizing illegal merchandise at our borders, pushing the border “outward” through audits of suspect importers, cooperating with our international trading partners, and collaborating with industry and governmental agencies to enhance these efforts.