U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Ports of Rochester and Buffalo seized counterfeit designer items worth more than $125,000 during February and March, according to a Mar. 13 announcement.
The seizures included watches with marks identical or nearly indistinguishable from those registered by Rolex, as well as jewelry, handbags, and clothing bearing counterfeit trademarks. If genuine, the watches would have had a manufacturer suggested retail price of about $82,000, while the other items would have totaled approximately $43,000.
Rochester Port Director John Benson said, “CBP employees continue to play a critical role in protecting businesses and consumers from fraudulent items. Our hardworking officers and import specialists do an amazing job protecting the American consumer and preventing these illegitimate merchandise items from entering our commerce.”
CBP has authority to detain, seize, forfeit, and destroy imported goods that infringe on registered trademarks or copyrights recorded through its e-Recordation program. Other violations can include misclassification of merchandise, false country-of-origin markings, health and safety issues, and valuation discrepancies. The agency notes that trade in counterfeit goods threatens innovation, business competitiveness, U.S. workers’ livelihoods, national security, and consumer safety. Importing such merchandise is illegal; even unintentional importers may face fines.
CBP encourages anyone with information about illegally imported counterfeit goods to submit an anonymous report through its E-Allegation tool. The agency also runs educational initiatives like the Truth Behind Counterfeits campaign to raise awareness about the risks associated with purchasing fake products.
