In a recent operation, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers based in Cincinnati intercepted a total of 11 shipments containing counterfeit jewelry and watches, which, if authentic, would have amounted to an estimated value of almost $7 million.
The seizures, which occurred on various dates in December, involved shipments primarily originating from Hong Kong and Indonesia, destined for private addresses in North Carolina, Maryland, and other undisclosed locations.
One significant interception took place on December 1, when CBP officers intercepted a package from Hong Kong containing 783 pieces of suspected counterfeit jewelry falsely labeled as products from prestigious brands such as Tiffany & Co., Cartier, Fendi, Versace, and Christian Dior. Officers identified discrepancies in the packaging and observed a lack of intricate details, raising suspicion.
The following day, on December 2, CBP seized an additional 60 sets of jewelry, purportedly from Cartier, Michael Kors, Tory Burch, and Gucci, also originating from Hong Kong and destined for private residences.
Further inspections on December 3 revealed a counterfeit Audemars Piguet watch from Indonesia, among other shipments directed towards residential addresses.
Subsequent examinations conducted on December 6 uncovered six more shipments of counterfeit items. Notably, one of these contained 650 pieces of fake Van Cleef & Arpels earrings, bracelets, and necklaces, estimated to exceed $1.7 million in value if genuine. Additionally, a shipment consisting of 102 fake Rolex watches, along with counterfeit Gucci belts, possessed a combined value surpassing $3 million.
The remaining four shipments contained various counterfeit goods, including watches from Franck Muller, Cartier, Tissot, and Apple.
On December 7, CBP officers seized two more shipments. One package contained counterfeit jewelry bearing logos from Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Van Cleef & Arpels, Dior, and even Disney’s Mickey Mouse. The second shipment included 125 fake watches falsely labeled as Rolex, Gucci, Adidas, Tous, and Coach products.
Cincinnati Port Director Alrick Brooks emphasized the importance of consumers being cautious, suggesting the purchase of holiday gifts from reputable websites and businesses to avoid misleading purchases through third-party sites. The CBP urged vigilance and encouraged individuals to report any suspicious or illegal trade activities.
The seized items were confirmed as counterfeit by CBP’s trade experts at its Centers for Excellence and Expertise, infringing on protected trademarks of the respective designers.
LaFonda D. Sutton-Burke, director of Chicago Field Operations, underscored CBP’s commitment to safeguarding the American people and economic interests. She highlighted the vigilance of officers in detecting intellectual property rights violations, asserting that such actions not only protect consumers but also support legitimate businesses.
CBP has launched an online educational initiative aimed at informing consumers about the risks associated with counterfeit products.
