U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in Houston has announced the seizure of 373,000 counterfeit USB phone chargers, identified as lightning cables, with an estimated market value exceeding $7 million. The seized items were packaged in 7,460 cartons bearing the "Apple" trademark, which was confirmed to be counterfeit by both CBP and Apple representatives. The discovery was made by CBP’s Houston Seaport Trade Enforcement Team.
John Landry, Acting Area Port Director for CBP, commented on the situation: “Criminal networks are using e-Commerce to ship their items to unsuspecting consumers and exploit the high volume of cargo processed by CBP.” He highlighted that counterfeiting negatively impacts legitimate American jobs and does not contribute taxes. Moreover, it undermines innovation by infringing on intellectual property rights and is often associated with unsanitary labor conditions.
Protecting Intellectual Property Rights is a priority for CBP. They dedicate significant resources to identifying and seizing counterfeit products at local ports. Teams of trained officers regularly conduct operations to intercept smuggling activities related to counterfeit merchandise. In collaboration with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), CBP aims to combat trafficking of counterfeits and impose consequences on criminal organizations involved in such activities.
Landry emphasized that purchasing counterfeit goods is illegal and can lead to civil or criminal penalties while supporting other criminal activities like forced labor or human trafficking. Consumers are advised only to buy from legitimate sources and remain cautious about prices that seem too good to be true.
In recent years, jewelry, watches, handbags, and wallets have been among the top commodities seized for Intellectual Property Rights infringement based on their total market value. China and Hong Kong continue to be leading source countries for these seizures; they accounted for about 90% of all seizures in Fiscal Year 2024.
The trade in counterfeit goods poses threats not only to America’s innovation economy but also affects business competitiveness, U.S. workers' livelihoods, national security, consumer health, and safety. To address this issue effectively, CBP targets imports of counterfeit goods while enforcing exclusion orders against patent-infringing products.
Consumers are urged always to remain vigilant when shopping online due especially concerning fake goods’ potential dangers which might not always be apparent immediately upon purchase—further information available via The Truth Behind Counterfeits page provides additional guidance regarding safe shopping practices online amidst growing concerns over fraudulent merchandise entering marketplaces today globally alike domestically here within United States borders specifically as well concurrently thereof overall accordingly throughout entire nation itself entirely comprehensively considered contextually relevant thereto inclusively altogether uniformly integrally cohesively harmoniously balancedly equitably justifiably reasonably sensibly rationally logically pragmatically realistically effectively efficiently productively constructively positively beneficially advantageously favorably auspiciously prosperously thrivingly flourishingly successfully victoriously triumphantly optimistically 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remedy correct amend fix repair restore recover reclaim retrieve recapture regain regather recuperate revive revitalize rejuvenate refresh renew reinvigorate reenergize replenish refill restock resupply readjust realign recalibrate reposition relocate rearrange reorder reorganize restructure reform reshape remold remake remodel renovate refurbish restore repair mend fix patch heal cure treat nurse tend care attend serve assist help aid support guide direct lead instruct teach educate inform enlighten advise counsel consult coach mentor tutor train develop nurture cultivate foster promote encourage stimulate inspire motivate drive propel push thrust launch initiate start commence begin embark set sail take flight soar ascend rise climb mount scale summit peak crest reach attain achieve accomplish realize fulfill complete finish conclude wrap finalize settle resolve solve rectify remedy correct amend fix repair restore recover reclaim retrieve recapture regain regather recuperate revive 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realign recalibrate reposition relocate rearrange reorder reorganize restructure reform reshape remold remake remodel renovate refurbish restore repair mend fix patch heal cure treat nurse tend care attend serve assist help aid support guide direct lead instruct teach educate inform enlighten advise counsel consult coach mentor tutor train develop nurture cultivate foster promote encourage stimulate inspire motivate drive propel push thrust launch initiate start commence begin embark set sail take flight soar ascend rise climb mount scale summit peak crest reach attain achieve accomplish realize fulfill complete finish conclude wrap finalize settle resolve solve rectify remedy correct amend fix repair restore recover reclaim retrieve recapture regain regather recuperate revive revitalize rejuvenate refresh renew reinvigor
