August 28, 2021
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers say they seized more than 39,000 counterfeit products in two shipments from China.
CBP officers assigned to the Los Angeles/Long Beach Seaport in coordination with import specialists from the Consumer Products and Mass Merchandising and Apparel, Footwear and Textiles Centers of Excellence and Expertise seized 39,243 counterfeit designer products arriving in two containerized cargo shipments from China.
CBP partnered with U.S. Homeland Security Investigations special agents to seize the first shipment on July 19, and the second one on July 30, in independent smuggling attempts.
The merchandise included sandals, handbags, sneakers, hats, wallets, backpacks, mobile phone cases, and belts that included registered and recorded trademarks, such as Gucci, Dior, Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Yeezy, Versace, Fendi, Balenciaga, Burberry, Chrome Hearts, Nike, Air Jordan, and Ferragamo.
If the merchandise were legitimate, it would have had a combined estimated manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $53,745,802.
“The size of these fraudulent shipments clearly demonstrates the greed and risks transnational criminal organizations are willing to take in order to increase their illicit profits,” said Carlos C. Martel, Director of Field Operations in Los Angeles. “CBP officers remain vigilant, committed, and focused on disrupting these smuggling operations.”
These fake products are typically sold on illegitimate websites and in underground outlets.
“Illicit goods trafficked to American consumers by e-commerce platforms and online third-party marketplaces threaten public health and safety, as well as national security,” said Donald R. Kusser, Los Angeles/Long Beach Seaport Port Director. “Counterfeit goods unfairly compete with legitimate products and reduce the incentives to innovate, both in the United States and abroad.
