Latest news with #E-CommerceCounterfeitAwarenessGuideforConsumers
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Yahoo
Counterfeit goods seized at Columbus Port of Entry
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Columbus Port of Entry seized a shipment of counterfeit goods with a retail price of over $100,000 last month, CBP said in a news release. CBP says the shipments contained 1,816 items and included brand-name auto parts, consumer electronics, Harry-Potter-themed goods, and card games such as UNO. The shipment was intercepted on April 2, originating from China and destined for an address in Mexico. CBP says it worked with the trademark holder to confirm that the items were not a legitimate product and the seizure was authorized on Tuesday, May 6. CBP says it seized the shipment for intellectual property rights violations. The investigation is ongoing. CBP has also provided a list of helpful hints to keep in mind when shopping for discounts: Purchase goods directly from the trademark holder, original manufacturer, or from authorized retailers. Educate yourself on the prices of legitimate goods. If the item is priced well below fair market value, the likelihood is higher that the merchandise being considered for purchase is counterfeit. If a price seems too good to be true, then it probably is. Stay away from websites that do not offer customer service contact information, return policies, and legitimate phone numbers. Review CBP's E-Commerce Counterfeit Awareness Guide for Consumers for more detailed information. 'The in-bond process allows imported merchandise to be entered at one U.S. port of entry without appraisement or payment of duties and transported by a bonded carrier to another U.S. port of entry or other authorized destination, provided all statutory and regulatory conditions are met. The CBP outbound exam of this shipment determined that those conditions were not met, and the shipment was seized consequently,' said CBP El Paso Director of Field Operations Hector Mancha. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
CBP seizes fake jewelry with ‘suggested' price of $9M
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) – A shipment of counterfeit designer jewelry with a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $9 million — had the goods been genuine — was seized by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the El Paso port of entry, the agency said in a news release. CBP said the shipment was intercepted on Wednesday, April 9. It originated from China and destined for a home in El Paso. The package contained 1,708 jewelry items such as rings, bracelets, earrings, and necklaces, which resembled the 'well-known luxury brand Van Cleef & Arpels' 'Alhambra' line,' CBP said. CBP worked with the trademark holder to confirm that the goods were not a legitimate product, and the seizure was authorized on Monday, April 21, the agency said. 'CBP officers inspect arriving international parcels for a variety of reasons to include protecting American consumers from potential safety violations and rooting out counterfeit goods that may be supporting an underground economy that thrives on deception and exploitation. Buying counterfeit luxury jewelry may seem like a bargain, but it may also be fueling criminal enterprises involved in money laundering, forced labor, and even organized crime,' CBP El Paso director of Field Operations, Hector Mancha, said. 'Counterfeit goods are generally poor-quality products that cost U.S. businesses billions of dollars a year while robbing our country of jobs and tax revenues.' CBP said officers seized the shipment and determined the jewelry was worth $15,480. The investigation is ongoing. CBP recommends consumers keep the following helpful hints in mind when shopping for discounts, according to the news release: Purchase goods directly from the trademark holder, original manufacturer, or from authorized retailers. Educate yourself on prices of legitimate goods. If the item is priced well below fair market value, the likelihood is higher that the merchandise being considered for purchase is counterfeit. If a price seems too good to be true, then it probably is. Stay away from web sites that do not offer customer service contact information, return policies, and legitimate phone numbers. Review CBP's E-Commerce Counterfeit Awareness Guide for Consumers for more detailed information. CBP said the agency provides basic import information about admissibility requirements and the clearance process for e-commerce goods. The agency encourages buyers to confirm that their purchases and the importation of those purchases comply with state and federal import regulations, according to the news release. 'The dangers of buying counterfeit products aren't always obvious to consumers. Particularly, when shopping online, beware of counterfeit goods. Fake goods can lead to real dangers,' read the news release. For more information, visit The Truth Behind Counterfeits page. Suspected intellectual property rights violations, fraud, or illegal trade activity can be reported by contacting CBP through the e-Allegations Online Trade Violations Reporting System or by calling 1-800-BE-ALERT. Violations can also be reported to the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center at or by telephone at 1-866-IPR-2060. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Yahoo
U.S. seizes counterfeit jewelry worth $3.5 million between China, Puerto Rico
March 10 (UPI) -- U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers have seized a shipment of fake designer jewelry, which could have been sold for $3.5 million, had it been real, the federal agency announced Monday. The shipment, containing 660 rings, bracelets and necklaces resembling luxury brand Van Cleef & Arpels, was discovered on Feb. 20, en route from China to a residence in Puerto Rico. "Buying counterfeit luxury jewelry from China may seem like a bargain, but it often fuels criminal enterprises involved in money laundering, forced labor and even organized crime. These counterfeit networks exploit workers, evade taxes and undermine legitimate businesses, while funding illicit activities such as human trafficking and drug trade," said Efrain Rivas, assistant director of Field Operations for Trade at the San Juan Field Office. "Every purchase supports an underground economy that thrives on deception and exploitation," Rivas added. With the discovery, Customs and Border Protection is urging consumers to be aware of counterfeit pieces when shopping for bargains. Among CBP's recommendations is to learn about the value and prices of legitimate jewelry. If the item is priced well below fair market value, it is likely counterfeit. "If a price seems too good to be true, then it probably is," according to CBP. To avoid paying for counterfeit goods, purchase jewelry or other designer items from the trademark holder, original manufacturer or from authorized retailers. Avoid any websites that do not offer customer service contacts, legitimate phone numbers or information on return policies, CBP recommends. For more information, CBP also advises reviewing its E-Commerce Counterfeit Awareness Guide for Consumers. "The dangers of buying counterfeit products aren't always obvious to consumers. Particularly, when shopping online, beware of counterfeit goods. Fake goods can lead to real dangers."
