US CBP officers in Cincinnati intercepted $19 million MSRP in designer watches and high-end fashion accessories

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the port of Cincinnati stopped a shipment on June 3 containing 111 pieces of counterfeit items such as watches, glasses, and headwear. Had these items been genuine, the shipment would have had a combined Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price of over $19.26 million.

The shipment from Colombia was headed for a residence in Puerto Rico when officers pulled the parcel for inspection. The examination revealed: 44 various Rolex watch models, 4 Richard Mille watches, 10 Cartier watches, 20 hats from Prada, ALO, Gucci, and Coach, and 62 pairs of designer branded sunglasses and glasses. The items were deemed to be inauthentic by CBP’s Centers of Excellence and Expertise, the agency’s trade experts, and were seized for bearing counterfeit version of registered and recorded trademarks.

“The trade of fake goods, and the widespread violation of private intellectual property rights threaten the American economy, as well as our national security,” said Cincinnati Port Director, Eric Zizelman “We will continue to put substantial efforts and resources into protecting our economy and American consumers, as well as securing our homeland and keeping our families safe.” 

Illegitimate sales are some of the most profitable transnational crimes. Counterfeiters sell inauthentic versions of popular products in response to trends, often through online sources, which adversely impacts legitimate U.S. businesses. These items, including fake medications, perfumes, and cosmetics, children’s toys and costumes, fashion, jewelry, and luxury products, and unsafe electronics and automative parts, can pose serious health and safety risks to American consumers as they are often made with substandard or harmful materials.