Supplier BulletinApr 24, 2025
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessSponsored by the Gemological Institute of America
CrimeApr 06, 2015
Fake jewelry, watches pass handbags for most seized
A recent report from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security shows that authorities nabbed $375 million in counterfeit jewelry and watches last year, compared with $342 million in fake wallets and bags.
New York--Watches and jewelry overtook handbags and wallets as the most-seized counterfeit goods by value last year, according to a recent report released by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
According to the report, U.S. Customs and Border Protection nabbed $375.4 million worth of counterfeit watches and jewelry last year, accounting for 31 percent of the total dollar amount of fake goods seized. (Dollar figures are based on the manufacturers’ suggested retail price.)
Fake handbags and wallets made up 28 percent of the total dollar figure, with $342 million in goods seized in 2014.
But, even with fake watches/jewelry moving into first, the 2014 dollar figure represents a decline in total value--in 2013, that number was at $502.8 million. The handbags/wallets category also was much higher that year, at $700.2 million.
In volume terms, the number of seizures of counterfeit watches and jewelry was up last year due to increased outreach and education, the report states, rising from 1,729 in 2013 (comprising 6 percent of all seizures) to 1,937 last year, which was 7 percent of the total.
Watches and jewelry ranked sixth in terms of the volume of seizures in 2014, falling behind “wearing” apparel and accessories, consumer electronics, pharmaceuticals and personal care items, handbags and wallets, and footwear.
The top five countries where counterfeit goods were coming from changed only slightly from 2013 to 2014.
While China and Hong Kong remained No. 1 and 2--making up more than 88 percent of the total between them--Canada, which hadn’t been on the list the year before, appeared at No. 3, followed by India and the United Arab Emirates.
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