CrimeJul 02, 2024
Theodore Roosevelt’s Stolen Watch Winds Its Way HomeCrimeJul 10, 2024
US Customs Seizes $10M in Counterfeit Jewelry
Officers intercepted three packages within 24 hours containing fake goods claiming to be from various luxury brands.
Had the packages contained genuine fine jewelry, they would have had a combined retail value of more than $10.1 million.
Louisville, Ky.—U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Port of Louisville seized three packages containing fake goods within the span of 24 hours last week.
The packages were stopped for containing items that infringed on designers’ protected trademarks which had been recorded with CBP for border enforcement through the e-Recordation program.
The packages were handed over to Homeland Security Investigations for further analysis.
If the jewelry had been genuine, all three shipments would have had a combined retail value of more than $10.1 million.
The first package was halted on July 1, originating from China and heading to a residence in Brooklyn, New York.
It contained 1,466 pieces of jewelry bearing fake trademarks from Van Cleef & Arpels, Louis Vuitton, Hermès, Gucci, Tous, Dior, Prada, Versace, Tiffany & Co., Bulgari, Calvin Klein, Cartier, Chanel, Michael Kors, Carolina Herrera, Tory Burch, Rolex, Yves Saint Laurent, and Daniel Wellington.
The retail value of these items would have been over $5.1 million, if genuine.
On July 2, two additional packages were seized, also originating from China. However, they were heading to separate residential addresses in Miami, Florida.
The second shipment contained necklaces, bracelets, and earrings with fake trademarks from Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels, while the third package contained counterfeit necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and rings from these brands.
Together, these two packages had a total of 921 pieces of counterfeit jewelry that would have a retail value of nearly $5 million if they were genuine.
Related stories will be right here …
The packages were stopped for containing items that infringed on designers’ protected trademarks which had been recorded with CBP for border enforcement through the e-Recordation program.
The packages were handed over to Homeland Security Investigations for further analysis.
If the jewelry had been genuine, all three shipments would have had a combined retail value of more than $10.1 million.
The first package was halted on July 1, originating from China and heading to a residence in Brooklyn, New York.
It contained 1,466 pieces of jewelry bearing fake trademarks from Van Cleef & Arpels, Louis Vuitton, Hermès, Gucci, Tous, Dior, Prada, Versace, Tiffany & Co., Bulgari, Calvin Klein, Cartier, Chanel, Michael Kors, Carolina Herrera, Tory Burch, Rolex, Yves Saint Laurent, and Daniel Wellington.
The retail value of these items would have been over $5.1 million, if genuine.
On July 2, two additional packages were seized, also originating from China. However, they were heading to separate residential addresses in Miami, Florida.
The second shipment contained necklaces, bracelets, and earrings with fake trademarks from Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels, while the third package contained counterfeit necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and rings from these brands.
Together, these two packages had a total of 921 pieces of counterfeit jewelry that would have a retail value of nearly $5 million if they were genuine.
“These large seizures illustrate the work our officers do every day to protect our country, its citizens, and the economy,” said LaFonda D. Sutton-Burke, director of Chicago Field Operations.
“Every day, CBP officers are seizing these fraudulent de minimis shipments sent by bad actors. Criminals are trying to exploit the mail environment by peddling their counterfeit products. Even though this package had a low declare value, they pose the same potential health, safety, and economic security risks as larger and more traditional containerized shipments.”
The three seized packages were uninsured and imported to Louisville under de minimis regulations, also known as “Section 321,” allowing shipments to pass through CBP free of duty and tax, by marking the merchandise as imported by one person on one day with an aggregated fair retail value in the country of shipment of $800 or less.
CBP estimates that nearly 90 percent of shipments coming into the U.S. are claiming the de minimis exception.
With the rise of e-commerce and small packages, CBP says “illegal actors are taking advantage of the unprecedented volume of e-commerce shipments entering the U.S. and the opacity of global supply chains to introduce illicit goods into the country.”
CBP has an educational initiative to raise consumer awareness on the consequences and dangers associated with purchasing counterfeit goods and encourages anyone with information about counterfeit merchandise illegally imported into the U.S. to submit an anonymous e-Allegation report.
More on Crime
The Latest
ColumnistsJun 03, 2026
Peter Smith: When Top Talent Leaves and What It Says About YouSmith discusses how managers should handle a top performer's exit, warning that a poor response could have a lasting impact.
GradingJun 03, 2026
GIA’s Tracr Investment Is First Step Toward Industry-Owned PlatformThe Gemological Institute of America is now a 30 percent stakeholder in Tracr, the De Beers-backed blockchain for diamonds.
WatchesJun 03, 2026
The 1916 Company Taking Pre-Owned Rolexes on the Road, AgainThe retailer is bringing Rolex Certified Pre-Owned watches to five U.S. cities in 2026 for collectors to see, try on, and purchase.
Brought to you by
All Eyes on Gold Prices. Alternatives to Look For. And What to BEWARE of in VegasAs gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.
IndependentsJun 03, 2026
Jessica Alba Is the New Face of Gabriel & Co.The actress and entrepreneur stars in the jeweler’s new campaign that celebrates life’s quiet moments.
Weekly QuizMay 28, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
TrendsJun 03, 2026
State of Design: Only the Innovative Will SurviveThe price of gold has risen, affecting the number of pieces designers make, the materials they use, and how they position themselves.
FinancialsJun 02, 2026
Signet Jewelers’ Q1 Sales Up 2% As It Focuses on ‘Core Four’ The jewelry retailer is zeroing in on Zales, Jared, Kay Jewelers, and Blue Nile as it looks to create unique brand identities for each.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
SourcingJun 02, 2026
Leader Appointed for Botswana’s Diamonds for Development Fund Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, a development economist, will head the fund created to help Botswana diversify its economy.
WatchesJun 02, 2026
Watch Industry Veteran James Marks Joins Sotheby’sSotheby’s has appointed the former Phillips executive as its global head of private sales and retail in its watches division.
AuctionsJun 02, 2026
Sotheby’s to Auction 10-Carat Blue Diamond, 1960s Harry Winston Necklace A private collection of five Paraíba tourmalines also will be up for sale at Sotheby’s High Jewelry auction in New York, scheduled for June 16.
IndependentsJun 02, 2026
State of Retail: 6 Things Retailers Should Know About Consumers TodayFrom Gen Z’s view of luxury to “doom spending,” these are the six consumer trends to note this year.
Events & AwardsJun 01, 2026
Design Atelier Brands Have a Big Night at Emotional Couture Design AwardsThe show started by honoring Mildred Marcano, ended with a tearful Beth Anne Bonanno, and recognized a dozen-plus designers in between.
SourcingJun 01, 2026
RapNet Rebranding as Rapaport TradeThe revamped online diamond marketplace will feature pricing intelligence and data-driven tools for more efficient buying and selling.
SourcingJun 01, 2026
Gemfields’ Higher-Quality Emerald Auction Achieves $26.8MThe miner said demand for higher-quality emeralds is stable, but there is notable caution in the market.
CollectionsMay 29, 2026
Cultus Artem’s Necklace Is the Oasis in Las Vegas’ DesertThe “River of Heaven” necklace, our Piece of the Week debuting at Couture, combines 26 salt and pepper diamonds spaced by Tahitian pearls.
IndependentsMay 29, 2026
Meet the 2026 Retailer Hall of Fame InducteesThis year’s inductees include second-, third-, and fourth-generation jewelers.
Events & AwardsMay 28, 2026
JCK Announces Jesse Itzler as 2026 Keynote SpeakerThe author, speaker, and entrepreneur will give his presentation, “Spiritual Billionaire,” on Saturday morning.
Events & AwardsMay 28, 2026
JCK Rocks To Ride With NellyThree-time Grammy award-winning artist Nelly is set to perform at the annual event at Tao Beach on Sunday night.
MajorsMay 28, 2026
Signet Jewelers to Buy The Clear Cut Signet will integrate the online-only, natural diamond-focused jeweler into Blue Nile, which it wants to position as a higher-end retailer.
CollectionsMay 28, 2026
Meet The 17 Newcomers to Couture’s Design AtelierThese up-and-coming jewelry brands are bringing their distinct aesthetic and unique point-of-view to the Design Atelier for the first time.
GradingMay 28, 2026
GCAL By Sarine Launches 8X Cushion CutThe lab’s proprietary diamond cut grade has been expanded to include the popular fancy shape.
Events & AwardsMay 27, 2026
5 Security Tips for Las Vegas Jewelry Market Week 2026This year, it’s what could happen outside of show hours that worries JSA Executive Vice President Scott Guginsky.
ColumnistsMay 27, 2026
What Jewelers Can Learn From Luxury Fashion’s Digital PlaybookHigh-end fashion houses know how to emotionally connect with customers online. Retail jewelers should take note, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
Events & AwardsMay 27, 2026
Couture’s ‘The Iridescence’ Will Showcase 7 Emerging Jewelry DesignersThe designers are the third cohort of mentees from the show’s Belonging @ Couture mentorship program.
ColumnistsMay 26, 2026
The Key Mindset for Better Trade Show BuyingBuying discipline at trade shows starts with clarity about your inventory levels, Smith writes.
Events & AwardsMay 26, 2026
12 JCK Talks Sessions to Add to Your Las Vegas ScheduleThe trade show’s education series returns, with sessions on retail trends, AI, watches, marketing, corporate responsibility, and more.
