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Wednesday, December 4, 2024

Too Good to Be True as CBP Seizes Multiple Counterfeit Products Valued at Over $100,000

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Rochester Port of Entry seized a variety of designer items for bearing counterfeit trademarks.

Over the past month and a half, CBP officers at the port of Rochester inspected several shipments that contained multiple “designer” handbags, wallets, clothing, and shoes, amongst other items. After a thorough examination of the merchandise, all the items were determined to be inauthentic and were seized for bearing counterfeit trademarks. Had these items been genuine, the total Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) value would have been approximately $105,202 dollars.

“CBP protects honest trade and hardworking businesses. Counterfeit items defraud both the consumer and legitimate businesses,” said Rochester Port Director Ronald Menz. “Our officers do an incredible job targeting shipments and diligently working for the American consumer by stopping this illegitimate merchandise.”

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, health and safety of consumers and, in some cases, national security.  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.

Homeland Security Today
Homeland Security Todayhttp://www.hstoday.us
The Government Technology & Services Coalition's Homeland Security Today (HSToday) is the premier news and information resource for the homeland security community, dedicated to elevating the discussions and insights that can support a safe and secure nation. A non-profit magazine and media platform, HSToday provides readers with the whole story, placing facts and comments in context to inform debate and drive realistic solutions to some of the nation’s most vexing security challenges.

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