The suggested retail price of the real watches estimated at $2.6 million
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico— U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) San Juan Field Operations announced today the seizure of 20 counterfeit luxury watches, found in 2 separate shipments, estimated at $2.6 million (MSRP), illegally imported into Puerto Rico from China via international courier.
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CBP Officers detained the shipments evaluating that the low quality of the products, low value, packaging, and delivery method was not common for such high end original merchandise.
CBP Import Specialists appraised the imported merchandize determining that the shipments violated the Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) of the manufacturers of Cartier, Patek Phillipe, Hublot and Audermar Piguet products.
“Consumers purchase products for the intrinsic value and quality that the recognized brand provides, which is then used by counterfeiters to make a profit with a low quality version,” said Edward Ryan, Assistant Director of Trade for Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. “We remain committed to protect legitimate businesses and consumers from intellectual property thieves” said Ryan.
Counterfeit and pirated products threaten our economic security and undermine legitimate businesses that invest significant resources into manufacturing safe, quality products.
CBP protects businesses and consumers every day through an aggressive IPR enforcement program. CBP targets and seizes imports of counterfeit and pirated goods, and enforces exclusion orders on patent-infringing and other IPR goods.
If you have information about counterfeit merchandise being illegally imported into the United States, CBP encourages you to submit an E-Allegation. The e-Allegation provides a means for the public to anonymously report to CBP any suspected violations of trade laws or regulations related to the importation of goods into the U.S.
To submit your trade allegation, please visit en e-Allegations Online Trade Violation Reporting System.