As the holiday shopping season approaches, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce are working together to inform consumers about the risks associated with counterfeit goods. The "Shop Smart" campaign aims to educate shoppers on how to identify and avoid fake products.
AnnMarie R. Highsmith, Executive Assistant Commissioner for CBP’s Office of Trade, highlighted the dangers of counterfeit items: “There are significant health and safety hazards associated with counterfeit products,” she said. She noted examples such as toys with high lead content and cosmetics containing harmful ingredients.
Counterfeit goods often flood the market during the holiday season, driven by illegal actors who use sales proceeds to fund criminal activities, including terrorism. To combat this, Tom Quaadman, Senior Vice President for Economic Policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, emphasized their collaboration with CBP: “We’re always proud to team up with our colleagues at CBP to provide consumers with tips for safe shopping.”
The quality of counterfeit goods is typically inferior, leading consumers to repeatedly purchase replacements, which contributes to environmental waste. Buying genuine products from legitimate businesses is recommended as they tend to be safer and more durable.
In Fiscal Year 2024 alone, CBP seized over 32 million counterfeit items that would have been worth more than $5.4 billion if authentic. This highlights a significant economic impact where funds could instead support legitimate businesses contributing positively to the economy.
For further guidance on safe shopping practices during this holiday season, resources are available through the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s “Shop Smart” initiative and CBP’s Truth Behind Counterfeits website.
CBP remains committed as America's frontline defense in law enforcement and border management, employing over 65,000 personnel dedicated to ensuring national security and economic prosperity through lawful trade facilitation.
