On March 4, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at an Express Consignment Operations hub in Indianapolis intercepted a shipment containing counterfeit designer jewelry valued at over $4 million if the items had been genuine.
The shipment included 148 pieces of imitation bracelets, necklaces, and earrings with trademarks of luxury designers. CBP’s Centers of Excellence and Expertise determined these items to be counterfeit.
Originating from a company in China, the shipment was destined for a residence in Nashville, Tennessee. Upon examination, CBP officers discovered 93 bracelets with Cartier logos, 15 necklaces and 15 pairs of earrings bearing Tiffany and Co. logos, 10 pairs of earrings displaying the Cartier logo, nine bracelets with Hermes logos, and six bracelets with Louis Vuitton logos. These items were seized for infringing on protected trademarks recorded with CBP for border enforcement. The Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price for these products would have totaled $4.62 million if they were authentic.
“Our officers and import specialists have done an excellent job targeting shipments and identifying counterfeit items,” stated LaFonda D. Sutton-Burke, Director of Field Operations-Chicago Field Office. “CBP protects businesses and consumers every day with an aggressive intellectual property rights enforcement program, keeping the profits from this illegal activity from funding criminal activities.”
CBP advises consumers to be aware of red flags when shopping for discounts:
CBP offers basic import information about admissibility requirements and the clearance process for e-commerce goods. It encourages buyers to ensure their purchases comply with state and federal import regulations.
The risks associated with buying counterfeit products are not always evident to consumers—especially when shopping online. Consumers should beware of fake goods as they can pose real dangers. For more information, visit The Truth Behind Counterfeits page.
Suspected intellectual property rights violations or illegal trade activity can be reported through CBP's e-Allegations Online Trade Violations Reporting System or by calling 1-800-BE-ALERT. Reports can also be made to the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center at https://www.iprcenter.gov/referral/ or by phone at 1-866-IPR-2060.
Follow CBP on X @CBPChicago and @DFOChicago to learn more about how CBP’s Office of Field Operations secures our nation’s borders.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is America's frontline: the nation's largest law enforcement organization and the world's first unified border management agency. The over 65,000 men and women of CBP protect America on land, in airspace, and maritime environments while facilitating safe travel and trade to support economic prosperity through innovation, intelligence gathering, collaboration efforts, and trust-building measures.
