U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in Louisville, Kentucky, seized 1,588 pieces of counterfeit jewelry from two express consignment shipments on April 3. The items, if genuine, would have had a combined Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price of more than $9.2 million.
The shipments arrived from Hong Kong and were addressed to a residence in New York. They contained hundreds of earrings, bracelets, necklaces, and rings bearing brand names such as Cartier, Chanel, Christian Dior, Fendi, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany, Van Cleef and Arpels, and Yves St. Laurent. Officers suspected the items were counterfeit and detained them for further investigation.
Customs officials submitted documentation and photographs to trade experts at the Consumer Products and Mass Merchandising Center of Excellence and Expertise for analysis. Working with trademark holders confirmed that the products were counterfeit and subject to seizure under statutory authorities.
"Illicit trade in counterfeit goods can be found in all products lines and all industries, representing a significant threat to America’s innovation economy, the competitiveness of our businesses, the livelihoods of U.S. workers and, in some cases, national security and the health and safety of consumers," said Louisville Port Director Phil Onken. "Customs and Border Protection urges you to protect your families and the U.S. economy by only purchasing authentic consumer products from reputable retailers."
Officials noted that e-commerce growth has made it easier for counterfeit goods to enter the U.S., with American consumers spending more than $100 billion each year on intellectual property rights infringing goods—about 20% of counterfeits sold worldwide are purchased by Americans.
CBP runs an aggressive Intellectual Property Rights enforcement program; during fiscal year 2025 alone they seized over 78 million counterfeit goods valued at more than $7.3 billion if genuine.
The agency encourages anyone with information about illegal imports of counterfeit merchandise to submit anonymous tips through its e-Allegation Program.
