U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers seized 80 counterfeit soccer jerseys, including 40 FIFA jerseys, at the Rochester port of entry this month, according to a July 16 announcement. The jerseys were discovered during a shipment inspection and determined to be inauthentic, leading to their seizure for bearing counterfeit trademarks. If genuine, the total Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price value would have been approximately $12,200.
“During high-profile events like the World Cup, we often see an increase in imported counterfeit items as criminals attempt to exploit potential consumers looking for popular brands,” said Rochester Port Director John Benson. “Our officers and import specialists work hard to identify and intercept these items to protect the consumer and businesses.”
CBP has authority to detain, seize, forfeit, and ultimately destroy imported merchandise if it bears an infringing trademark or copyright that has been registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office or the United States Copyright Office and subsequently recorded with CBP through its e-Recordation program. Other violations can include misclassification of merchandise, false country-of-origin markings, health and safety issues, and valuation issues.
Trade in counterfeit goods threatens America’s innovation economy as well as business competitiveness and consumer safety. Importing such merchandise is illegal; individual consumers may be liable for fines even if they did not intend to import counterfeit or pirated goods.
CBP encourages individuals with information about illegally imported counterfeit merchandise to submit an E-Allegation using its anonymous reporting tool. The agency also runs educational initiatives such as The Truth Behind Counterfeits campaign aimed at raising awareness about the consequences of purchasing counterfeit goods.
CBP officers from the Office of Field Operations lead border security efforts at ports of entry by screening travelers and cargo for illicit narcotics, unreported currency, weapons, prohibited agriculture products, invasive species, counterfeit goods, and other threats.