U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Champlain Port of Entry in New York have seized multiple shipments of jewelry suspected to be counterfeit Tiffany & Co. pieces. The inspections took place from December 2024 to January 6, 2025, leading to the discovery of these items during routine checks.
The jewelry was determined to be counterfeit following a thorough examination by CBP officers. The items were seized for Intellectual Property Rights violations and, if authentic, would have an estimated total Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price value of approximately $29,989.
“CBP continues to play a crucial role in protecting the consumer and businesses from the importation of fraudulent merchandise,” said Champlain Port Director Steve Bronson. “I’m proud of the outstanding job our officers and import specialists do in targeting these shipments and identifying these violations.”
CBP holds the authority to detain, seize, forfeit, and ultimately destroy imported goods that infringe on registered trademarks or copyrights recorded with CBP through their e-Recordation program. Other potential violations include misclassification of merchandise, false country-of-origin markings, health and safety issues, and valuation discrepancies.
Counterfeit goods pose a threat to America's innovation economy by undermining business competitiveness and impacting U.S. workers' livelihoods. Importing such merchandise is illegal, with consumers potentially facing fines even if unaware they are purchasing counterfeit products.
The agency encourages public reports on counterfeit merchandise via its E-Allegation reporting tool for anonymously reporting trade law violations related to imports.
To raise awareness about the risks associated with counterfeit purchases, CBP has initiated an educational campaign known as "The Truth Behind Counterfeits." Information on this initiative is available online.
Follow updates from CBP on X (formerly Twitter) @CBPBuffalo and @DFOBuffalo.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection serves as America's largest law enforcement organization focused on border management. With over 65,000 personnel, CBP ensures national security through innovative practices while facilitating lawful travel and trade for economic prosperity.
