U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers in Pittsburgh have seized counterfeit goods valued at $573,200. The shipment, which arrived from the United Arab Emirates on April 27, included 13 fake Rolex watches and 12 pairs of designer sunglasses. These items were intended for a Pittsburgh address and were falsely declared as "Empty Poly Bag Ladies Hand Bag."
The confiscated watches comprised six Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust models, five Rolex Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona models, and two Rolex Diamond Iced-Out models. The sunglasses bore brand names such as Burberry, Chanel, Gucci, Miu Miu, and Valentino.
CBP officers suspected the authenticity of these products upon inspection and detained them for further analysis. Documentation and photographs were sent to CBP’s Consumer Products and Mass Merchandising Center of Excellence and Expertise (CEE), where trade experts confirmed the items as counterfeit after consulting with trademark holders.
James Hindes, CBP’s Acting Port Director in Pittsburgh, stated: “Unsuspecting consumers could be victimized twice by counterfeit products... they may end up paying close to authentic prices for cheaper knockoffs.” He urged consumers to purchase genuine products from reputable retailers to avoid such pitfalls.
Counterfeit goods often use inferior materials that can break easily or pose risks to consumers. They may also be produced in facilities employing forced labor. To combat this issue, CBP enforces an Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) program. In fiscal year 2024 alone, over 32,000 seizures were made with an estimated retail value exceeding $5.4 billion if genuine.
Consumers are encouraged to visit CBP’s Fake Goods Real Dangers webpage for more information on the risks associated with counterfeit goods. Trademark owners can protect their intellectual property by registering with CBP through the e-Recordation program.
For those who suspect illegal importation of counterfeit merchandise into the U.S., anonymous tips can be submitted via CBP’s e-Allegation Program.
CBP operates at Ports of Entry across the nation with officers dedicated to screening travelers and cargo for illicit items that could harm public safety or economic interests.
For updates on enforcement actions or other news from CBP's Baltimore Field Office, follow @DFOBaltimore on Twitter or @cbpfieldops on Instagram.
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