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.

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 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.
The Latest

Sponsored by the Gemological Institute of America

Simon Wolf shares why the time was right to open a new office here, what he looks for in a retail partner, and why he loves U.S. consumers.

A third-generation jeweler, Ginsberg worked at his family’s store, Ginsberg Jewelers, from 1948 until his retirement in 2019.

The risk of laboratory-grown diamonds being falsely presented as natural diamonds presents a very significant danger to consumer trust.

The company failed to file its quarterly reports in a timely manner.


The organization also announced its board of directors.

Charms may be tiny but with their small size comes endless layering possibilities, from bracelets to necklaces and earrings.

Located in Valenza, the now 355,000-square-foot facility includes a new jewelry school that’s open to the public, Scuola Bulgari.

Paola Sasplugas, co-founder of the Barcelona-based jewelry brand, received the Fine Jewelry Award.

A platinum Zenith-powered Daytona commissioned in the late ‘90s will headline Sotheby’s Important Watches sale in Geneva next month.

The basketball stars wear men’s jewelry from the “Curb Chain” collection.

The Signet Jewelers-owned retailer wants to encourage younger shoppers to wear fine jewelry every day, not just on special occasions.

The 21 pieces, all from a private collector, will be offered at its Magnificent Jewels auction next month.

Lilian Raji answers a question from a reader who is looking to grow her jewelry business but has a limited marketing budget.

GCAL by Sarine created the new role to sharpen the company’s focus on strategic partnerships and scalable expansion.

The Indiana jeweler has acquired Scottsdale Fine Jewelers in Scottsdale, Arizona.

“Cartier: Design, Craft, and Legacy” opened earlier this month at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

Van Cott Jewelers in Vestal, New York, is hosting a going-out-of-business sale.

Industry veteran Samantha Larson has held leadership roles at Borsheims, McTeigue & McClelland, Stuller, and Long’s Jewelers.
The two organizations will hold the educational event together this fall in Mississippi.

The entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.

The Ukrainian brand’s new pendant is modeled after a traditional paska, a pastry often baked for Easter in Eastern European cultures.

The jeweler has announced a grand reopening for its recently remodeled location in Peoria, Illinois.

The “Strong Like Mom” campaign features moms who work at Tiffany & Co. and their children.

Interior designer Athena Calderone looked to decor from the 1920s and 1930s when crafting her first fine jewelry collection.

During a call about its full-year results, CEO Efraim Grinberg discussed how the company is approaching the uncertainty surrounding tariffs.