US Customs Seizes Nearly $7M in Counterfeit Jewelry, Watches
Officers in Cincinnati uncovered fake goods from brands like Tiffany & Co., Cartier, Rolex, and Audemars Piguet.
On Dec. 1, officers halted a package from Hong Kong containing 783 pieces of counterfeit jewelry claiming to be from Tiffany & Co., Cartier, Fendi, Versace, and Christian Dior that was heading to a residential address in North Carolina.
The officers spotted the “cheap generic packaging” and “lack of intricate details.”
The following day, Dec. 2, CBP seized 60 sets of jewelry originating from Hong Kong, claiming to be from Cartier, Michael Kors, Tory Burch, and Gucci.
On Dec. 3, the officers stopped a box from Indonesia that contained a fake Audemars Piguet watch.
These two shipments were also headed to private residences in North Carolina and Maryland.
On Dec. 6, officers inspecting freight uncovered six more shipments of counterfeit merchandise.
One shipment held 650 pieces of fake Van Cleef & Arpels earrings, bracelets, and necklaces with a value of over $1.7 million if genuine.
Another box held 102 fake Rolex watches with matching boxes, as well as 20 counterfeit Gucci belts, with a combined value of more than $3 million if genuine.
The other four shipments held additional counterfeit goods, including a Franck Muller watch, a Cartier watch, a Tissot watch, and five Apple watches.
On Dec. 7, officers seized two more shipments of counterfeit goods. One box held counterfeit jewelry and headbands with logos from Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Van Cleef & Arpels, and Dior, as well as Mickey Mouse.
The last shipment included 125 fake watches, claiming to be from Rolex, Gucci, Adidas, Tous, and Coach.
“CBP protects legitimate trade practices and recommends shoppers purchase their holiday gifts from reputable websites and businesses,” said Cincinnati Port Director Alrick Brooks.
“With the influx in e-commerce, purchasing gifts online can be misleading through third-party sites. We encourage you to be aware and report any suspicious illegal trade activity.”
The 11 shipments were declared counterfeit by CBP’s trade experts at its Centers for Excellence and Expertise and were seized for infringing on the designers’ protected trademarks.
“Protecting the American people, our borders, and enhancing economic prosperity is our job here at U.S. Customs and Border Protection,” said LaFonda D. Sutton-Burke, director of Chicago Field Operations.
“Officers are trained to detect shipments containing intellectual property rights violations, and the officers at the Port of Cincinnati do this job very well. By enabling compliant trade, we are protecting the American consumer and the businesses.”
CBP has an educational initiative available online to educate consumers about the dangers surrounding counterfeit goods.
The Latest
Karina Brez’s race-ready piece is a sophisticated nod to the horse-rider relationship.
“Horizon” invites individuals to explore the limitless possibilities that lie ahead, said the brand.
The jeweler credits its recent “Be Love” campaign and ongoing brand revamp for its 17 percent jump in sales.
Meet Ben Claus—grand prize winner of For the Love of Jewelers 2023 Fall Design Challenge.
The co-founder of Lewis Jewelers was also the longtime mayor of the city of Moore.
Elvis Presley gifted this circa 1967 gold and diamond watch to Dodie Marshall, his co-star in “Easy Come, Easy Go.”
With Ho Brothers, you can unlock your brand's true potential and offer customers the personalized jewelry experiences they desire.
Concerns about rising prices, politics, and global conflicts continue to dampen consumer outlook.
May’s birthstone is beloved for its rich green hue and its versatility.
Jacqui Larsson joins Opsydia with nearly two decades of experience in the industry.
The “Tiffany Céleste” collection reimagines designer Jean Schlumberger’s interpretations of the universe.
The brand also created a 100-carat lab-grown diamond necklace in honor of its centennial.
Tim Schlick has been promoted from his previous position as COO.
It’s the second year for the event, slated to take place in October in Toronto.
Supplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA
Sales will be paused while the relocation takes place over the next few months.
“SIS x MISA Denim and Diamonds” is a collaboration between the designer and celebrity stylist Misa Hylton.
The retailer is moving to a newly designed space in the same shopping center.
Gifts that are unique and thoughtful are top of mind this year, according to the annual survey.
The necklace is featured in the brand’s “Rebel Heart” campaign starring Adam Levine and Behati Prinsloo.
The two organizations will host a joint event, “Converge,” in September 2025.
Big changes appear to be on the horizon for the diamond miner and its parent company, Anglo American.
Padis succeeds Lisa Bridge, marking the first time the organization has had two women board presidents in a row.
Jesse Cole, founder of Fans First Entertainment, shared the “five Es” of building a fan base during his AGS Conclave keynote.
The Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar "John Mayer" was celebrated at a star-studded party in LA last week.
The announcement came as the company reported a 23 percent drop in production in Q1.