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.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
The Latest
MajorsNov 05, 2026
Ariana Grande Stars In Swarovski’s Holiday Campaign“Joy: The Swarovski Musical” features Ariana Grande as the leading lady in scenes inspired by classic musical montages.
FinancialsNov 04, 2026
Pandora’s Q3 Sales Up 7% Amid Focus on DesignNew collections and relevant marketing pushed the company forward, while Pandora’s lab-grown diamond sales continue to lag.
Events & AwardsNov 04, 2026
NYC Jewelry Week 2026 Is the Largest Edition YetThe citywide celebration, slated for Nov. 16-22, is set to host more than 175 events, including live jewelry-making demos.
Brought to you by
How Overnight Mountings’ Bridal Builder Makes Custom Engagement Ring Design Easier to SellWith customization becoming more expected in engagement ring shopping, the Bridal Builder makes the process tangible.
MajorsNov 04, 2026
Bergdorf Goodman Names New PresidentLanessa Elrod, former president and CEO of Louis Vuitton Americas, has stepped into the role as the retailer celebrates 125 years.
Weekly QuizOct 29, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsNov 03, 2026
Infinity Gauntlet Set With 170+ Carats of Colored Gemstones Up for AuctionA replica of one of the most powerful objects in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the glove is heading to auction next month in Abu Dhabi.
IndependentsNov 03, 2026
Longtime Jewelry Marketer Arthur Klein Dies at 89Klein, who had his own marketing agency and worked for Gabriel & Co. and Trans American Diamond, is remembered as a kind man.
Brought to you by
A Diamond Is Forever Launches 2026 Holiday Campaign Championing Natural DiamondsA Diamond Is Forever's holiday campaign reimagines natural diamond icons for a new generation celebrating individuality.
IndependentsNov 03, 2026
Zadok Jewelers Toasts To 50 Years With Diamond Bracelet GiveawayTo enter the giveaway, locals can purchase a featured beverage from one of eight participating restaurants in Houston and Austin, Texas.
Events & AwardsNov 03, 2026
David Yurman Gem Awards Grant Opens 2027 ApplicationsThe grant recipient will be awarded $50,000 as well as mentoring meetings with executives at David Yurman and other industry executives.
Events & AwardsNov 03, 2026
NAJA, Instappraise Name 2026 Scholarship WinnersThe winners include a non-NAJA member seeking training, a member beginning NAJA courses, and a member becoming a Certified Master Appraiser.
AuctionsNov 02, 2026
197-Carat ‘Romanov Sapphire’ Heads to Sotheby’s GenevaThe rare jewel, which has links to Russia’s Romanov dynasty, is estimated to fetch up to $2 million.
MajorsNov 02, 2026
Lawrence Bock, Caryl Capeci, Amanda Coleman-Phelps Join JA Board Jewelers of America announced the additions to its board of directors following its annual general meeting, held last week.
CollectionsNov 02, 2026
Olympian Kristi Yamaguchi, Heller Jewelers Expand ‘Always Dream’ CollectionThe jewelry collection supports Yamaguchi’s Always Dream foundation, which provides reading and educational resources to families in need.
Events & AwardsOct 30, 2026
Illuminating Carved Paraiba Pendant, Suite of Moonstones Wow at Spectrum AwardsSpectrum’s “Best of Show” honors went to a 101-carat Paraiba carved to look like Medusa that has a magnet-activated LED light.
TrendsOct 30, 2026
Edina Kiss’ Pendants Say ‘Eye’m Watching You’Our Halloween Pieces of the Week are four “Eye” pendants, each set with colorful gemstones.
MajorsOct 30, 2026
The RealReal Hires Former eBay Exec as New Chief Merchandising OfficerAlexis Hoopes expanded eBay’s “Authenticity Guarantee” program during her tenure.
WatchesOct 29, 2026
Bucherer Opens Rolex Boutique in Washington StateThe Rolex-owned retailer’s new 4,700-square-foot store’s façade honors the Pacific Northwest’s evergreen forests.
TrendsOct 29, 2026
Amanda's Style File: All Treats, No Tricks Get into the Halloween spirit with this roundup of 13 spooky jewels.
MajorsOct 29, 2026
Gesswein Hires Longtime Bench Jeweler, Educator Ann CahoonCahoon was appointed strategic account and educational program manager at Gesswein, which recently joined Continental Buying Group.
MajorsOct 29, 2026
Amanda Seyfried Stars In Tiffany & Co.’s Holiday CampaignTiffany & Co.’s latest ambassador makes her debut in its “Love Is a Gift” holiday campaign.
EditorsOct 28, 2026
These Wicked Jewels Will Cast a Spell on YouFor her annual Halloween story, Senior Editor Lenore Fedow highlights bewitching jewels fit for a witch that go from day to unholy night.
CrimeOct 28, 2026
Man In Florida Who Swallowed Tiffany & Co. Earrings ConvictedJaythan Gilder was found guilty of robbery and grand theft after stealing and then ingesting nearly $800,000 worth of Tiffany & Co. jewelry.
SurveysOct 28, 2026
Consumer Confidence Up in October as Gas Prices EaseConsumer confidence remains on the long-term downward trend that’s persisted over the past few years, said a Conference Board economist.
MajorsOct 28, 2026
Stuller’s Holiday Campaign Lets the ‘Magic of the Moment’ ShineThe holiday campaign includes key jewelry trends, a curated holiday gift guide, and resources to help jewelers prepare for holiday shoppers.
SourcingOct 27, 2026
De Beers Celebrates the Holidays With New ‘Desert Diamonds’ CampaignThe “Icons” holiday campaign spotlights four classic diamond jewelry styles reimagined in “Desert Diamond” tones.
IndependentsOct 27, 2026
Solomon Brothers Acquires Mervis Diamond ImportersSolomon Brothers, which has three stores in the Metro Atlanta area, said it may continue to acquire other independent jewelers.
