U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers seized 277 counterfeit Lululemon Everywhere Belt Bags recently in Delaware, that had they been authentic would have been worth about $13,000.
The belt bags arrived in two separate shipments from China and were destined to the same address in Wilmington, Del. CBP officers inspected the shipments — the first on August 8 of 136 belt bags and the second on August 16 of 141 belt bags. Officers suspected that the Lululemon branding may have been used without authorization and detained the shipments to verify trademark authenticity.
CBP officers submitted product documentation and photographs to CBP’s trade experts at the Consumer Products and Mass Merchandising Center of Excellence and Expertise (CEE) for analysis. CBP’s trade experts verified that the Lululemon Everywhere Belt Bags were counterfeit and subject to seizure pursuant to CBP’s statutory and regulatory authorities.
CBP officers seized the first shipment on August 26 and the second shipment on September 6.
The international trade in counterfeit consumer goods is illegal. It steals revenues from trademark holders, steals tax revenues from the government, funds transnational criminal organizations, and the unregulated products potentially threaten the health and safety of American consumers.
Counterfeiters manufacture consumer goods using substandard materials and parts that either break prematurely or that could hurt consumers. Counterfeit consumer goods may also be sourced or manufactured in facilities that employ forced labor.
For more information about the consequences and dangers often associated with the purchase of counterfeit goods visit the Truth Behind Counterfeits public awareness campaign website at CBP’s Fake Goods Real Dangers webpage.
“Popular products, such as Lululemon belt bags, are prime targets for counterfeiters to manufacture, and are revenue generators for unscrupulous vendors who worship profits over consumer health and safety,” said Erik Kelling, CBP’s Port Director for the Port of Wilmington. “CBP urges consumers to protect themselves and their families by always buying authentic products from reputable vendors.”
