CBP Thwarts 1.8+ Million-Dollar Luxury-Brand Counterfeit-Goods Smuggling Attempt out of Hong Kong
Photo: counterfeit Rolex
LOS ANGELES – LAX International Airport Border – High fashion slapped back when counterfeit wannabes raised their illegal heads at a point of entry. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers and import specialists assigned to the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) cargo noticed something fishy in oddly-marked cartons arriving from Hong Kong via air express cargo.
While conducting an enforcement exam on 06/25/2020, CBP officers took a close look at a shipment of 99 boxes weighing 3,827 pounds. “The shipment, falsely manifested as ‘Ladies Tops Storage Bag
Empty,’ was a clear attempt to circumvent U.S. law,” said CBP.
counterfeit Louis Vuitton
CBP officers and import specialists discovered 3,524 counterfeit goods posing as an array of legitimate luxury handbags, watches, dresses, belts, shoes, sunglasses, T-shirts, purses, sandals, ball caps, and gym bags arriving from Hong Kong.
The high-fashion poseurs represented the likes of “YSL, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Versace, Gucci, Fendi, Nike, Under Armor, Adidas, Cartier, Rolex, Dior, Pandora, Casio, Michael Kors, Tiffany & Co., Burberry and Christian Louboutine,” said CBP.
The 07/27/2020 announcement included another discovery – a search and seizure brought down the rest of the attempted illegal stash when drugs were tucked away for a veritable sneak-in. Among the intercepted faux high-fashion products, officers unearthed “2,160 pills of Sildenafil and 4,500 pills of Ranitidine Hydrochloride,” said CBP.
“Available on illegitimate websites and sold in underground outlets, counterfeit commodities multiply the illegal profits of smugglers and traffickers,” added CBP. ” If genuine, the seized merchandise would have had an estimated manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $1,884,769.”
LaFonda Sutton-Burke, CBP LAX Port Director gave kudos, “Through their diligence and attention to detail, CBP officers and import specialists prevented a significant smuggling attempt. Their dedication and commitment to the mission of CBP is vital in stopping counterfeit goods from entering the U.S. commerce.”
The enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights is a CBP Priority Trade Issue. Priority Trade Issues
represent high-risk areas that can cause significant revenue loss, harm the U.S. economy, or threaten
the health and safety of the American people. They drive the risk-informed investment of CBP resources as well as enforcement and facilitation efforts, including special enforcement operations, outreach, and regulatory initiatives.
“Trade in illegitimate goods is associated with smuggling and other criminal activities, and often funds criminal enterprises,” said Carlos C. Martel, CBP Director of Field Operations in Los Angeles. “CBP officers and import specialists remain vigilant in detecting, intercepting and seizing illegitimate products and enforcing all trade laws.”
If you have any suspicion of or information regarding suspected fraud or illegal trade activity, please
report the trade violation to e-Allegations Online Trade Violation Reporting System or by calling 1-800-BE-ALERT.
