CrimeDec 17, 2025
Man Pleads Not Guilty to Swallowing Fabergé PendantCrimeDec 22, 2025
Customs Seizes Hundreds of Fake Rolex, Cartier Watches
In the recent multi-shipment seizure, CBP also found counterfeit Audemars Piguet, Moncler, and Chrome Hearts items.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in Louisville, Kentucky, recently seized three shipments of fake accessories.
Louisville, Ky.—U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers in Louisville, Kentucky, recently seized three shipments of counterfeit items that included jewelry.
Combined, the goods would have been worth more than $18.6 million if genuine.
The first two shipments arrived from Hong Kong on Dec. 5. One shipment was heading to a residence on Staten Island, New York, and the other was heading to Irving, Texas.
Officers found hundreds of counterfeit items in the first parcel, including 400 Cartier watches, 26 Moncler hats, and 30 Chrome Hearts hats.
In the second parcel, they found more fake goods, including eight Cartier watches and 13 Audemars Piguet watches.
On Dec. 8, officers inspected a parcel from Taiwan that was headed to Houston.
In that shipment, they discovered more counterfeit watches, including 80 Rolex Cosmograph watches and 80 Rolex Day Date watches.
CBP’s Centers of Excellence and Expertise, the agency’s trade experts, determined the items were fakes and violated the federally protected trademarks of Cartier, Audemars Piguet, Moncler, Chrome Hearts, and Rolex.
Related stories will be right here …
Combined, the goods would have been worth more than $18.6 million if genuine.
The first two shipments arrived from Hong Kong on Dec. 5. One shipment was heading to a residence on Staten Island, New York, and the other was heading to Irving, Texas.
Officers found hundreds of counterfeit items in the first parcel, including 400 Cartier watches, 26 Moncler hats, and 30 Chrome Hearts hats.
In the second parcel, they found more fake goods, including eight Cartier watches and 13 Audemars Piguet watches.
On Dec. 8, officers inspected a parcel from Taiwan that was headed to Houston.
In that shipment, they discovered more counterfeit watches, including 80 Rolex Cosmograph watches and 80 Rolex Day Date watches.
CBP’s Centers of Excellence and Expertise, the agency’s trade experts, determined the items were fakes and violated the federally protected trademarks of Cartier, Audemars Piguet, Moncler, Chrome Hearts, and Rolex.
CBP noted that consumers should purchase items from reputable retailers and remain cautious of deals that seem too good to be true while shopping.
“During the holiday shopping season, it is important to remain aware that criminals try to scam shoppers into buying low quality and potentially dangerous counterfeit items,” said LaFonda D. Sutton-Burke, director of field operations at CBP’s Chicago field office.
“Our officers do an incredible job targeting shipments and identifying these violations, working tirelessly every day to protect the consumer and our economy.”
In fiscal year 2025, CBP seized nearly 79 million counterfeit items that, if genuine, would have had a combined value of more than $7.3 billion.
Counterfeit clothing, consumer electronics, toys, and medications were among the top seized items, the agency said.
More on Crime
The Latest
CollectionsJun 29, 2026
Briony Raymond’s New Collection Is a ‘Carousel’ of Hard StonesThe new jewelry collection uses a colorful palette of onyx, malachite, tiger’s eye, mother-of-pearl, lapis, turquoise, and coral.
IndependentsJun 29, 2026
Look Inside Lee Michaels’ Revamped Mississippi FlagshipLee Michaels Fine Jewelry is celebrating 30 years in the Ridgeland, Mississippi community.
GradingJun 29, 2026
National Rarities Announces New Gemology ManagerSean Milliner has joined the company.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
GradingJun 29, 2026
GIA to Open New London CampusClasses will begin in August at GIA’s new Canary Wharf location.
Weekly QuizJun 25, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsJun 26, 2026
‘Hogback’ Diamond Ring Finds a New Home A ring set with “hogback” diamonds, an early stone cut dating to around the 16th century, sold for more than $20,000 at a U.K. auction.
CollectionsJun 26, 2026
Strength Is Sharpened Into Beauty in Kris Averi’s ‘Prism Thorn’ RingThe rainbow version of the ring, our Piece of the Week, features angel-cut, octahedral lab-grown sapphires designed to be worn as armor.
Brought to you by
Building the Future of Jewelry Retail: DCA Expands Education, Leadership Development, and Workforce SolutionsDCA is preparing the next generation of professionals by supporting workforce development, leadership growth, and career advancement.
MajorsJun 26, 2026
Rembrandt Charms Debuts ‘Charms That Give Back’The new initiative donates a portion of the proceeds from select charms to charitable causes.
TrendsJun 26, 2026
Bernard James Celebrates Knicks’ Win with RingThe Brooklyn-based jeweler created a limited-edition version of its “Aura” eternity band, set with gemstones in the team’s colors.
SourcingJun 25, 2026
ICA Names Brandee Dallow as CEODallow will lead the International Colored Gemstone Association, effective July 6.
EditorsJun 25, 2026
Out & About: How Jewelers Mutual, SCAD Are Tackling the Bench Jeweler ShortageSenior Editor Lenore Fedow headed to Savannah to learn more about the 10-year, $10 million partnership between JM and the art school.
CollectionsJun 25, 2026
Mejuri Experiments With SteelIts new capsule jewelry collection features gold-finished stainless steel pieces designed for a maximalist look without a luxury price tag.
Events & AwardsJun 25, 2026
Watches & Wonders Announces 2027 DatesThe week-long event in Geneva is slated for April 2027.
SourcingJun 25, 2026
Annie Doresca, Mark Smelzer, Sara Yood Join Gem Legacy BoardThe three industry leaders bring financial, communications, and legal expertise to the nonprofit’s board of directors.
ColumnistsJun 24, 2026
The Revenue Hiding Between Your Counter and Your Online CartJewelers are missing out by not offering this one key add-on at the online point of sale, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
CollectionsJun 24, 2026
Greenwich St. Jewelers, Jewel Boxing’s Latest Drop Is On-TrendThe fourth collaborative collection from the retailer and jewelry content creator focuses on gemstone charms and strands of colorful beads.
Events & AwardsJun 24, 2026
AGTA Accepting Entries for Spectrum 2026This year’s AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards will feature two new categories.
SourcingJun 24, 2026
Columbia Gem House To Offer Alexandrite Melee OnlineThe collection features traceable alexandrite from Brazil in calibrated sizes that is sorted by grade.
MajorsJun 24, 2026
CaratLane Names New Chief Sales OfficerDhaval Raja has been appointed to the role.
CollectionsJun 23, 2026
Francesca Villa Goes ‘On the Road’The capsule collection looks to vintage trunk pins that echo the spirit of speed, freedom, and the mythology of the American road trip.
SourcingJun 23, 2026
New Paraíba Tourmaline Source Reportedly Discovered in EthiopiaSSEF issued a notice about the potential new source of the sought-after gemstone, citing “credible reports” from trade sources.
MajorsJun 23, 2026
Etsy Says ‘Shop Other Jeffs’ This Prime DayAs Amazon Prime Day kicks off, Etsy is encouraging shoppers to support small businesses.
Events & AwardsJun 23, 2026
AGA Announces 2026 Scholarship WinnerCole Winward is the recipient of 2026 AGA Gemological Scholarship.
EditorsJun 22, 2026
15 Pieces of Jewelry That Brought Us Joy in Vegas Whether they evoked nostalgia, wonder, or laughter, these jewels put a smile on our faces.
Events & AwardsJun 22, 2026
Plans Announced for New Trade Show in BaselScheduled for April 2027, Basilia will be the first watch and jewelry trade show held in Basel since the collapse of Baselworld in 2020.
Events & AwardsJun 22, 2026
Gem Awards Opens 2027 Nomination PeriodSubmissions for the milestone 25th annual Gem Awards will be accepted across three categories from now through July 31.
