LOUISVILLE, Ky. — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials reported the seizure of over $27 million worth of counterfeit jewelry in Louisville last month.
CBP officers intercepted 28 shipments of fake designer jewelry, which, if authentic, would have been valued at over $975,000 each. The shipments contained counterfeit watches, bracelets, rings, necklaces, and earrings.
Most of the shipments originated from China and Hong Kong, destined for various U.S. locations.
The counterfeit items were seized for violating the designers’ trademarks. If they were genuine, their total value would have reached $27.5 million.
Philip Onken, Louisville Port Director, praised the officers’ expertise in identifying risky shipments. “Our officers are skilled at spotting packages that pose higher risks through visual inspection, leveraging their knowledge of trends used by those attempting to illegally import contraband,” Onken said.
Officials also offered advice on protecting oneself from counterfeit goods, including:
Buying directly from authorized retailers or the trademark holder.
Knowing the market value of items being purchased. If a deal seems too good to be true, it likely is.
Checking for legitimate websites with clear customer service and return policies.
Reviewing the CBP’s E-commerce Counterfeit Awareness Guide for Consumers.
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