As the end of the NFL season nears, more and more teams are showing playoff implications. For some fans, excitement to see their team move closer to the Super Bowl may lead them to purchase a replica of their favorite team’s championship ring.
However, buyers must be careful where they purchase these keepsakes. Counterfeit Super Bowl rings continue to rise, and, if intercepted, may be seized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
In fiscal year 2019 United States Customs and Border Protection trade enforcement officers in Memphis, TN seized three different shipments of fake NFL, MLB, and NHL rings. Altogether, 631 rings were seized, which, had they been real, would have been worth a total of more than $6,300,000.
The packages had been shipped from China, and were headed for various addresses in the United States. The merchandise was targeted due to poor craftsmanship and packaging, and was later confirmed to be fake.
Michael Neipert, Port Director for Customs and Border Protection Memphis said:
“One of CBP’s responsibilities is to protect Intellectual Property Rights. Our officers do a great job of detecting and seizing counterfeit goods. If a deal on a trademarked item appears too good to be true, it probably is.”
Intellectual Property Rights enforcement is a Priority Trade Issue. Importation of counterfeit merchandise can cause significant revenue loss, damage the U.S. economy, and threaten the health and safety of American people.
