Flag on the play: CBP seizes counterfeit Super Bowl rings at IAH

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers assigned to George Bush Intercontinental Airport this past week seized 75 counterfeit Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl championship rings. Further examinatio

n by the CBP Trade Enforcement Team revealed the shipment was an Intellectual Property Rights violation and the cargo was detained.

Had these items been authentic, the Manufactured Suggested Retail Price would have been at least $750,000. HSI was notified and CBP provided them with information on the importer.

The express consignment parcel arrived Oct. 30 from Guangzhou, China and was manifested as "Hair Pins Metal."CBP officers noted the poor craftsmanship and detained the rings to verify authenticity with the National Football League, the trademark holder. The NFL confirmed the rings as fakes.

"Legitimate American businesses are often harmed by these global criminal organizations," said CBP Acting Director of Field Operations Leslie Fleming-Luczkowski. "The sale of fake goods often funds money laundering, drug trafficking, and other illegal activities. CBP is on the front lines to ensure we protect the American people from defrauders while protecting businesses who play by the rules."

In recent months, CBP officers in Houston have seen significant seizures of counterfeit watches, baby toys, and World Cup FIFA memorabilia and apparel.

Illegitimate sales are some of the most profitable transnational crimes. Counterfeiters sell inauthentic versions of popular products in response to trends, often through online sources, which adversely impacts legitimate U.S. businesses. These items include fake medications, perfumes, cosmetics, children's toys and costumes. In addition, counterfeit fashion, jewelry, luxury products, and unsafe electronics and automotive parts can pose health and safety risks to American consumers as they are often made with substandard or harmful materials.

To guarantee you are getting what you paid for consumers should shop from reputable sources. Each time a counterfeit good is purchased, a legitimate company loses revenue. This translates to lost profits and the loss of U.S. jobs over time. CBP targets and seizes imports of IPR violative goods. Counterfeits are a global problem with nearly 90% of CBP's IPR seizures originating from China and Hong Kong.

To learn more about what CBP is doing every day to protect Americans from counterfeit goods, visit the Truth Behind Counterfeits public awareness campaign webpage.

CBP protects the intellectual property rights of American businesses through an aggressive Intellectual Property Rights enforcement program, safeguarding them from unfair competition and use for malicious intent while upholding American innovation and ingenuity. Suspected violations can be reported to CBP by visiting the Trade Violations Reporting site or call 1-800-BE-ALERT.

Consumers can also take simple steps to protect themselves and their families from counterfeit goods:

• Purchase goods directly from the trademark holder or from authorized retailers.
• When shopping online, read seller reviews and check for a working U.S. phone number and an address that can be used to contact the seller.
• Review CBP's E-Commerce Counterfeit Awareness Guide for Consumers.
• Remember that if the price of a product seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Under the leadership of President Donald J. Trump and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers stop illegal activity and protect lawful commerce into and out of the United States.

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Follow the Director of CBP's Houston Field Office on X @DFOHouston and Instagram @dfohouston, CBP Central Texas on X@CBPCentralTX and CBP's Field Operations on Instagram @cbpfieldops for breaking news, current events, human interest stories and photos.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is America's frontline: the nation's largest law enforcement organization and the world's first unified border management agency. The 70,000+ men and women of CBP protect America on the ground, in the air and on the seas. We enforce safe, lawful travel and trade and ensure our country's economic prosperity. We enhance the nation's security through innovation, intelligence, collaboration and trust.

• Topics
• Intellectual Property Rights