CrimeSep 01, 2020
4 Sentenced, 1 Sought in Case Involving Fake Native American JewelryCrimeJun 03, 2021
Customs Seizes $718K in Fake Designer Jewelry
Counterfeit Gucci and Chanel pieces were among the items CBP officers in Cincinnati nabbed last month.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in Cincinnati seized Michael Kors, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and Chanel fakes. It’s the latest seizure in a string of counterfeit shipments coming through the city.
Cincinnati—U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in Cincinnati have seized another shipment of fake designer jewelry, the latest in a string of counterfeit shipments making its way through the city.
The package, originating from China and heading to New York City, was labeled as a shipment of stainless steel bracelets worth $367, CBP said in a news release issued last week.
Officers found it contained 364 pieces of counterfeit jewelry. If genuine, the jewelry would be worth $717,930.
The shipment held necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and other items said to be from luxury brands like Michael Kors, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and Chanel.
The pieces were mixed in with jewelry that did not have protected trademarks, said CBP.
Related stories will be right here …
The package, originating from China and heading to New York City, was labeled as a shipment of stainless steel bracelets worth $367, CBP said in a news release issued last week.
Officers found it contained 364 pieces of counterfeit jewelry. If genuine, the jewelry would be worth $717,930.
The shipment held necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and other items said to be from luxury brands like Michael Kors, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and Chanel.
The pieces were mixed in with jewelry that did not have protected trademarks, said CBP.
This seizure is the latest in a line of counterfeit jewelry shipments Cincinnati CBP officers have nabbed in recent months.
Last month, officers seized a shipment of counterfeit jewelry that would be worth $866,120 if it had been genuine.
Intellectual property rights (IPR) remain a priority trade issue for CBP, the organization said in the release.
In fiscal 2019, CBP and its partner agency, Homeland Security Investigations, seized 27,599 shipments containing IPR violations with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of more than $1.5 billion, if the goods had been genuine.
Watches and jewelry represent 15 percent of all intellectual property rights seizures, said CBP, topping the list of all items seized due to IPR infringement.
“Protecting the American economy protects the American people,” said Cincinnati Port Director Richard Gillespie. “Our officers continue to use their training, knowledge, and skills to identify high-risk shipments and shut down illicit suppliers.”
CBP has an educational initiative available online to educate consumers about the dangers surrounding counterfeit goods.
Last month, officers seized a shipment of counterfeit jewelry that would be worth $866,120 if it had been genuine.
Intellectual property rights (IPR) remain a priority trade issue for CBP, the organization said in the release.
In fiscal 2019, CBP and its partner agency, Homeland Security Investigations, seized 27,599 shipments containing IPR violations with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of more than $1.5 billion, if the goods had been genuine.
Watches and jewelry represent 15 percent of all intellectual property rights seizures, said CBP, topping the list of all items seized due to IPR infringement.
“Protecting the American economy protects the American people,” said Cincinnati Port Director Richard Gillespie. “Our officers continue to use their training, knowledge, and skills to identify high-risk shipments and shut down illicit suppliers.”
CBP has an educational initiative available online to educate consumers about the dangers surrounding counterfeit goods.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Crime
The Latest
ColumnistsOct 15, 2026
Peter Smith: What Is the Culture REP?It’s a term Smith coined and felt compelled to share following a bad experience with an aborted flight and an unfeeling flight attendant.
IndependentsOct 14, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Coleman and Mitchell ClarkFourth-generation jewelers Coleman and Mitchell Clark exemplify the best qualities of their predecessors: humility, modesty, and confidence.
SourcingOct 14, 2026
Manuel Marcial de Gomar, ‘The Emerald Whisperer,’ Dies at 90The gem hunter, whose 70-year career was defined by adventure and exploration, is remembered for his steadfast faith and sense of wonder.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
FinancialsOct 14, 2026
LVMH’s Jewelry Brands Turn in ‘Very Good’ Performance in Q3 Tiffany & Co. continued its full-scale store renovation project while Bulgari’s high jewelry collection generated “record-breaking revenue.”
Weekly QuizOct 08, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsOct 14, 2026
Chicago Responsible Jewelry Conference Releases 2026 ProgramThis year’s sessions feature leading voices from human rights, legal, and conservation organizations.
MajorsOct 13, 2026
David Webb Owner Purchases Lugano JewelryThe high-end jewelry retailer was sold to private investment firm Middle West Partners and a group of longtime clients.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
Lab-GrownOct 13, 2026
Stephanie Gottlieb Takes Lab-Grown Diamond Collection WholesaleThe jewelry designer has partnered with Sofer Jewelry to distribute her 85-piece lab-grown diamond collection.
IndependentsOct 13, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Sean DunnDunn, this year’s Single-Store Independent inductee, is passionate about innovation and telling the story of natural diamonds.
AuctionsOct 13, 2026
Christie's Geneva To Auction 'Bulgari Pink' DiamondThe 24-carat fancy intense pink diamond ring could fetch up to $18 million at the November sale.
IndependentsOct 13, 2026
Greenwich St. Jewelers’ New Candle Smells Like HomeThe “Island Jewel” candle honors New York City and Puerto Rico and raises money for the island’s water relief efforts.
TechnologyOct 13, 2026
GemFind Is a New JA Member Benefit Partner The partnership will give JA members access to preferred pricing, exclusive benefits, technology solutions, education, and resources.
SurveysOct 09, 2026
These Will Be the 10 Busiest Days for In-Store Shopping This Holiday SeasonStores should expect to see the most customers on Nov. 27, and Christmas week is expected to be hectic too, as Dec. 25 falls on a Friday.
CollectionsOct 09, 2026
Elisa Solomon Collabs With Serendipity 3 on ‘Frozen Hot Chocolate’ CharmThe charm, our Piece of the Week, features brown diamond frozen hot chocolate topped with white diamond whipped cream and a ruby straw.
AuctionsOct 09, 2026
8-Carat Blue Diamond Goes Unsold at UK Jewelry Auction The top lot of Elmwood’s recent fine jewelry sale in London was a 1.84-carat, D color Tiffany & Co. solitaire diamond ring.
WatchesOct 09, 2026
Movado to Sell Majority Stake in Ebel for $66.5MThe watch company agreed to sell a 95 percent interest to a group comprised of F.P. Journe, Chanel, and Swiss watch exec Pierre Jacques.
Policies & IssuesOct 08, 2026
Third Wave of IEEPA Tariff Refunds Begins This round of tariff refunds is for importers that have sued over IEEPA tariffs in the Court of International Trade and won.
CollectionsOct 08, 2026
Brent Neale’s New Collection Goes ‘Back to Basics’It revisits the brand’s most requested silhouettes, from "Pillow"-set necklaces and bracelets to "Signature"-set rings and earrings.
SourcingOct 08, 2026
Ethical Gem Fair Heads Back to BrooklynThe trade-only event includes buying opportunities as well as educational sessions on artisanal mining, the new Paraíba source, and more.
Events & AwardsOct 08, 2026
Pattons Fine Jewelry Sweeps Local Design ContestAra Chanakian, a jeweler at Pattons, took home top honors in every category at Jewelers of Louisiana’s annual jewelry design competition.
AuctionsOct 08, 2026
Reba McEntire’s Jewelry, Watches Head to Julien’s AuctionsThe live charity benefit sale in Nashville will also feature gowns, boots, and other memorabilia from the country music legend.
Supplier BulletinOct 08, 2026
Overnight Mountings’ Bridal Builder Helps Jewelers Turn Custom Design into a Hands-On Selling ExperienceSponsored by Overnight Mountings
Policies & IssuesOct 07, 2026
The Plumb Club Amplifies Its Voice as Geopolitical Pressures MountThe supplier organization recently joined JA and JVC to have more input on political issues affecting the jewelry industry.
CollectionsOct 07, 2026
Blue Nile, Royal Asscher Collection Highlights Natural Diamond BeautyBlue Nile, a Signet Jewelers-owned brand, is now Royal Asscher’s exclusive licensed retailer in North America.
CollectionsOct 07, 2026
4 Standout Pieces in Audemars Piguet’s First High Jewelry Collection “Royal Oak” pays homage to the brand’s most popular watch model using 18-karat gold as well as diamonds, emeralds, and sapphires.
MajorsOct 07, 2026
Empire Safe & Vault Promotes Juan Morales to CEOAs part of the transition, Joseph Nicosia has stepped into the role of COO.
