U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers in Louisville intercepted a shipment containing more than 7,000 pairs of counterfeit earrings on August 6. The package, sent from Hong Kong and destined for a Miami residence, was labeled as a “metal necklace” and weighed 56 pounds. Upon inspection, officers discovered 7,319 pairs of earrings featuring the Van Cleef and Arpels Alhambra design, which is protected by federal trademark law.
CBP’s Centers of Excellence and Expertise determined that the earrings were unauthorized reproductions of the Van Cleef and Arpels trademark. If genuine, the shipment would have had a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price of over $30 million.
“Legitimate trade powers the U.S. economy,” said LaFonda D. Sutton-Burke, Director of Field Operations at the Chicago Field Office. “But counterfeit and pirated goods dampen our economic successes, fund criminal networks, and threaten consumer trust and safety. As consumers increasingly purchase from online or third-party vendors, our officers are at the frontline to guard against defrauders expecting to make money selling fake merchandise.”
For three consecutive years, jewelry has been the top commodity seized for intellectual property rights violations by value, followed by watches and handbags or wallets. China and Hong Kong remain the leading sources for these seizures; in Fiscal Year 2024 alone, shipments from these regions made up about 90% of all items seized for intellectual property infringement.
Counterfeit products are often sold through underground markets or third-party e-commerce platforms. These activities support organized crime groups and can mislead consumers into purchasing substandard goods they believe to be authentic.
Intellectual property theft affects American consumers, businesses, trademark holders, and legitimate manufacturers. The proceeds from counterfeit sales can be used to finance other illegal activities globally. The presence of harmful materials in counterfeit products also poses risks to public health and safety.
CBP enforces intellectual property rights through targeted programs designed to protect American businesses from unfair competition while supporting innovation. More information about CBP’s efforts against counterfeit goods is available at https://www.cbp.gov/FakeGoodsRealDangers.
