CrimeDec 21, 2020
Customs Seizes Nearly $10M in Counterfeit Jewelry, WatchesCrimeMay 12, 2021
Customs Seizes $866K in Counterfeit Jewelry
It’s the latest of several recent seizures by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in Cincinnati.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in Cincinnati seized Cartier, Van Cleef and Arpels, and Louis Vuitton fakes, one of several shipments of counterfeit jewelry and watches this year.
Cincinnati—U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in Cincinnati seized a six-figure shipment of counterfeit jewelry, the latest in a string of counterfeit shipments funneling through the city.
The package came from Guangzhou, China, and was on its way to a private residence in Akron, Ohio.
Though it had a declared value of $80, officers uncovered 383 items of jewelry claiming to be from luxury brands like Cartier, Van Cleef and Arpels, and Louis Vuitton.
If the jewelry had been authentic, it would have been worth $866,120.
As online shopping continues to flourish, so have counterfeiters.
“It’s extremely important that as our trade avenues expand, our focus on enforcing intellectual property rights violations expands with it,” said Cincinnati Port Director Richard Gillespie in a press release about the seizures.
“Our officers are working hard day and night to guard our frontline against defrauders expecting to make money selling fake merchandise.”
This seizure is the latest of several counterfeit jewelry shipments seized by Cincinnati officers in recent months.
Related stories will be right here …
The package came from Guangzhou, China, and was on its way to a private residence in Akron, Ohio.
Though it had a declared value of $80, officers uncovered 383 items of jewelry claiming to be from luxury brands like Cartier, Van Cleef and Arpels, and Louis Vuitton.
If the jewelry had been authentic, it would have been worth $866,120.
As online shopping continues to flourish, so have counterfeiters.
“It’s extremely important that as our trade avenues expand, our focus on enforcing intellectual property rights violations expands with it,” said Cincinnati Port Director Richard Gillespie in a press release about the seizures.
“Our officers are working hard day and night to guard our frontline against defrauders expecting to make money selling fake merchandise.”
This seizure is the latest of several counterfeit jewelry shipments seized by Cincinnati officers in recent months.
On April 26, officers uncovered 9,377 pieces of counterfeit jewelry said to be from brands like Tiffany & Co., Pandora, Cartier, and Bulgari. They would be worth more than $4.2 million if authentic.
On April 7, Cincinnati officers uncovered 242 fake Cartier Love bracelets in a shipment originating from China, with an estimated worth of $3.6 million, had they been authentic.
On April 7, Cincinnati officers uncovered 242 fake Cartier Love bracelets in a shipment originating from China, with an estimated worth of $3.6 million, had they been authentic.
Two shipments originating from China were then seized on March 4, containing 734 counterfeit jewelry pieces, worth $3.2 million when genuine.
On Feb. 10-11, officers stopped two shipments of counterfeit jewelry and watches, said to be from luxe brands like Hermès, Chanel, Rolex and Panerai. The authentic worth totaled nearly $3 million.
And in late January, officials found 85 counterfeit Rolex watches. If authentic, the value would total more than $5.8 million.
Watches and jewelry represent 15 percent of all intellectual property rights (IPR) seizures, according to Customs and Border Protection, topping the list of all items seized due to IPR infringement.
A CBP spokesperson told National Jeweler that despite the multiple incidents, there has been no year-over-year increase in counterfeit jewelry seizures by Cincinnati officers, adding these seizures are “fairly routine.”
CBP has an educational initiative available online to educate consumers about the dangers surrounding counterfeit goods.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
The Latest
Policies & IssuesApr 28, 2026
Tariff Refunds: How to File, What to Expect Importers can submit claims now to receive money back for the IEEPA tariffs they’ve paid, with refunds expected to take up to 90 days.
IndependentsApr 28, 2026
This North Carolina Jeweler Is Passing the TorchThe owners of Gregory Jewelers in Morganton, North Carolina, are heading into retirement.
SourcingApr 28, 2026
Doug Hucker Retires From ICAThe colored gemstone industry leader is heading into retirement after four years as the association’s CEO.
Brought to you by
Discover Timeless Treasures: A Showcase of Antique Jewelry & Timepieces in Las VegasGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
SourcingApr 28, 2026
NDC Hires Tapestry Exec to Head Global Marketing Susie Dewey joins the Natural Diamond Council as its new chief marketing officer.
Weekly QuizApr 23, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsApr 27, 2026
12 Years Later, the ‘Ocean Dream’ Diamond Resurfaces at Christie’sThe largest known fancy vivid blue-green diamond could fetch more than $12 million at its second auction appearance.
ColumnistsApr 27, 2026
Stop Treating Mother’s Day Like an AfterthoughtEmmanuel Raheb says jewelers need to start marketing early and make it easy for customers to pick a gift for mom.
Brought to you by
Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show: Showcasing the Most Collectible Merchandise from Across the GlobeGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
IndependentsApr 27, 2026
Longnecker Jewelry Celebrates 30 YearsIn honor of the milestone, the Nebraska jeweler has debuted Leslie & Co., its new in-house jewelry brand.
MajorsApr 27, 2026
JBT Re-Elects Jeff Corey as Board ChairThe trade organization, which held its annual elections earlier this year, also added five new board members.
SurveysApr 24, 2026
Mother’s Day 2026 Jewelry Spending to Top $7B, NRF SaysNRF’s annual survey found that 45 percent of consumers plan to purchase jewelry for a loved one this Mother’s Day.
TechnologyApr 24, 2026
TwentyFour’s Digital-Age Locket Is a Virtual VaultThe “Vault” charm, our Piece of the Week, expands on the memories that can be stored in a locket by connecting to your phone.
Events & AwardsApr 24, 2026
Hamptons Jewelry Show to Return in JulyThe open-to-the-public luxury jewelry and timepiece show, in its second year, is slated for July 23-26.
IndependentsApr 23, 2026
Meet the Real Moms of Day’s JewelersThe jeweler’s Mother’s Day campaign highlights the women who work there—mothers, grandmothers, women who want to be mothers, and dog moms.
Supplier BulletinApr 23, 2026
JM® Shipping Solution: Smarter Shipping for High-Value GoodsSponsored by Jewelers Mutual
Lab-GrownApr 23, 2026
Charles & Colvard May Sell Assets for $1.5MThe proposed agreement follows the moissanite maker’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection filing last month.
AuctionsApr 23, 2026
John Jacob Astor IV’s Titanic Pocket Watch Fetches $1MThe Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co. timepiece Astor brought aboard the ill-fated ship sold for double its estimate at a Freeman’s auction.
CollectionsApr 23, 2026
Adam Neeley’s High Jewelry Collection Steps Into Salvador Dalí’s GardenThe “Dalí’s Garden” collection was inspired by a surreal dream Neeley had after cooking a recipe from Salvador Dalí’s 1973 cookbook.
IndependentsApr 23, 2026
Windsor Jewelers Names New Buying DirectorNatalie Feanny has been appointed to the role.
AuctionsApr 22, 2026
Roberta Flack’s Jewelry Is Going Up for AuctionJulien’s Auctions is selling the musician’s fine and fashion jewelry alongside her clothing, gold records, and other memorabilia.
CollectionsApr 22, 2026
British Museum Curator Pens Book on ‘The Tudor Heart’Rachel King’s book dives into the history of the pendant believed to have belonged to Henry VIII and his first wife, Katherine of Aragon.
Events & AwardsApr 22, 2026
Here’s What Sy Kessler Has on Tap for Las Vegas The company will have deals on precious metals testers as well as the latest in lab-grown diamond detection technology and security.
WatchesApr 21, 2026
Coco Chanel Enters the Game with New Watch CollectionGabrielle “Coco” Chanel is a character in the “Coco Game” collection of watches and the queen in its first haute horlogerie chessboard.
IndependentsApr 21, 2026
Meet Jewelers of America’s 2026 ‘20 Under 40’ ClassThe annual list honors rising professionals on the retail and supply sides of the jewelry industry.
CrimeApr 20, 2026
Queens Man Convicted in Bludgeoning Death of Pawn Shop OwnerRodolfo Lopez-Portillo faces 25 years to life in prison after being found guilty in the March 2022 beating death of Arasb Shoughi.
TrendsApr 20, 2026
Beth Bernstein, Sonia Esther Soltani Pen New Jewelry Book“Jewelry Creators: Dynamic Duos and Generational Gems” highlights the relationships among 22 influential designers, brands, and gem dealers.
Events & AwardsApr 20, 2026
Atlanta Jewelry Show’s Spring Event Is Hitting the RoadThe AJS Spring 2027 show will be held in Savannah, Georgia, with future shows taking place in other Southeast cities.
