CBP seized counterfeit designer items worth over $125,000

Officers discovered counterfeit products during the months of February and March

ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Port of Rochester and Port of Buffalo seized a variety of designer items for bearing counterfeit trademarks.

Throughout the last thirty days, CBP officers and import specialists at the Port of Rochester and Port of Buffalo inspected multiple shipments that contained "designer" items. After a thorough examination of the merchandise, CBP determined the items to be inauthentic and seized them for bearing counterfeit trademarks. The specific watches had identical or substantially indistinguishable marks to those that are registered and recorded by Rolex. Had these designer watches been genuine, the total manufacturer suggested retail price (MSRP) value would be approximately $82,000. The remaining seized counterfeit jewelry, designer handbags and clothing would have a combined MSRP of approximately $43,000 if authentic.

"CBP employees continue to play a critical role in protecting businesses and consumers from fraudulent items," said Rochester Port Director John Benson. "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 the authority to detain, seize, forfeit, and ultimately destroy imported merchandise if it bears an infringing trademark or copyright that has been registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office or the United States Copyright Office and has subsequently been recorded with CBP through the e-Recordation program. https://iprr.cbp.gov/s/.Other violations can include misclassification of merchandise, false country-of-origin markings, health and safety issues, and valuation issues.

Trade in counterfeit and pirated goods threatens 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. It is also against the law to import counterfeit or pirated merchandise and individual consumers may be liable for a fine even if they did not intend to import counterfeit or pirated merchandise.

If you have information about counterfeit merchandise being illegally imported into the U.S., CBP encourages you to submit an E-Allegation. The E-Allegation reporting tool provides a means for the public to anonymously report to CBP any suspected violations of trade laws or regulations related to the importation of goods into the U.S.

CBP has established an educational initiative to raise consumer awareness about the consequences and dangers that can be associated with the purchase of counterfeit and pirated goods. Information about the Truth Behind Counterfeits campaign can be found at The Truth Behind Counterfeits | U.S. Customs and Border Protection (cbp.gov)

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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 67,000+ 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