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

From striking high jewelry to miniature fine jewelry, the new chapter continues to highlight gemstones featuring its signature 57-facet cut.

The jewelry giant is reducing its senior leadership by 30 percent as part of its new turnaround strategy.

The auction house's partnership with online watch servicing platform WatchCheck makes repairs convenient and accessible, it said.

Bench jewelers spend years honing their skills, Jewelers of America’s Certification validates their talents.

The company also noted record sales in the United States and a strong performance in its jewelry category.


The event, set for June 13-15, will feature educational presentations and guided visits to the state’s sapphire mines.

After the black enamel band became a best-seller for the brand, it has now launched an enamel ring personalization program.

Natural diamonds mean more than lab-grown, but when every cut is ideal, they all look the same. Customers want more—Facets of Fire delivers.

The Austin, Texas, jeweler’s new 11,000-square-foot store is set to open this summer.

The rapper and singer-songwriter will perform at Tao Beach on June 8.

“Conversations with Chris Ploof” covers tips for men buying wedding bands, behind-the-scenes footage of Ploof in his studio, and more.

As lab-grown diamond brands pop up across India, academics are researching how to grow demand outside of the jewelry industry.

The moves are part of the retailer’s new turnaround plan, “Grow Brand Love,” which also includes emphasizing brand loyalty over store banners.

The “Rush Hour” campaign stars Zoë Kravitz in bold, wearable pieces designed to make a statement in the workplace.

Breitling is reviving Gallet, which was founded in 1826 and is known for making watches used in the early days of long-distance travel.

Dubbed the “Mediterranean Blue,” this “remarkably rare” diamond will be part of Sotheby’s May jewelry auction in Geneva.

The American Gem Society now offers a Jewelry Evaluation Advisor designation as well as an updated Certified Sales Associate designation.

Rebecca Zeijdel-Paz created more than 75 new pieces for the residency, which will be on display at Trove’s store in New York through April.

Smith explores why a qualified candidate might still not be right for the job.

The company and its marketing agency, Loudr, were recognized for the “Make You Dance” marketing campaign.

The “Series8” and “Attesa” collections will be grouped under Citizen Premier.

David Fager, a former systems engineer at the retailer, was promoted to the role.

From retailers to designers and the media, the fine jewelry industry recognized one another’s work and looked to the future.

Eleanor H. Yeh is the recipient of the eighth annual Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation Award for Excellence in Jewelry Design.

Joseph Cavalcante takes on the dual role as the Spanish jewelry brand looks to expand further into the U.S. market.

The trade show has also upgraded its venue to the Caesars Forum Conference Center.

The Dayton-based jeweler, which has been in business since 1985, was formerly known as Stafford Jewelers.