On January 31, 2022 U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at an Express Consignment Operations hub in Chicago, Illinois seized a shipment that was arriving from Israel containing over $2 million worth of counterfeit Cartier, Louis Vuitton, and Versace bracelets, rings, and necklaces; even Gucci purses were found.
During the month of January, Chicago CBP averaged at least one shipment a day of counterfeit goods. Officers seized a total of 29 shipments worth a staggering $2.88 million. Officers found everything from counterfeit shoes, wallets, designer apparel, handbags, jewelry, and more.
All these counterfeit shipments were arriving from various countries: China, Hong Kong, the Netherlands, Russia, the Philippines, Thailand, Mexico, and Israel. Jewelry, which includes rings necklaces, bracelets, and watches, was the most common item that was found.
Counterfeit Gucci designer handbags along with Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Cartier, and Versace apparel were also prevalent in these shipments. The shipments were heading to various cities throughout the U.S.A.
The rapid growth of e-commerce and the internet gives counterfeit and pirated goods more ways to enter the U.S. economy.
Consumers often believe they are buying a genuine product but soon realize the item is substandard. Counterfeit goods hurt the United States economy and cost Americans their jobs while also threatening consumer health and safety.
United States Customs and Border Protection Trade protects the intellectual property rights of American businesses through an aggressive intellectual property rights enforcement program.
U.S. federal officials seize millions of counterfeit goods every year. These goods include fake versions of popular products, such as smartphones, related accessories, electronics, apparel, shoes, cosmetics, and high end luxury goods, as well as goods posing significant health and safety concerns, such as counterfeit pharmaceuticals, bicycle, motorcycle helmets, medical devices, supplements and other consumables.
