Overview
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Port of Cincinnati removed a parcel on June 3rd that contained 111 suspected counterfeit items including 44 Rolex models, four Richard Mille watches, 10 Cartier watches, 20 designer hats, and 62 pairs of sunglasses.
- CBP’s Centers of Excellence and Expertise examined the goods, declared them inauthentic, and estimated that the items would carry a combined MSRP of about $19.26 million if they were genuine.
- The seized shipment was routed from Colombia and addressed to a Puerto Rico residence and has been turned over to Homeland Security Investigations for further inquiry.
- CBP said over 90% of counterfeit interceptions happen in international mail and express channels because e‑commerce drives large volumes of low‑value, small parcels into the United States.
- Last fiscal year CBP reported tens of millions of counterfeit items seized and warns that fake goods can harm consumers and legitimate businesses and carry civil and criminal penalties for traffickers.