EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Columbus Port of Entry seized a shipment of counterfeit goods with a retail price of over $100,000 last month, CBP said in a news release.
CBP says the shipments contained 1,816 items and included brand-name auto parts, consumer electronics, Harry-Potter-themed goods, and card games such as UNO.
The shipment was intercepted on April 2, originating from China and destined for an address in Mexico.
CBP says it worked with the trademark holder to confirm that the items were not a legitimate product and the seizure was authorized on Tuesday, May 6.
CBP says it seized the shipment for intellectual property rights violations. The investigation is ongoing.
CBP has also provided a list of helpful hints to keep in mind when shopping for discounts:
- Purchase goods directly from the trademark holder, original manufacturer, or from authorized retailers.
- Educate yourself on the prices of legitimate goods. If the item is priced well below fair market value, the likelihood is higher that the merchandise being considered for purchase is counterfeit. If a price seems too good to be true, then it probably is.
- Stay away from websites that do not offer customer service contact information, return policies, and legitimate phone numbers.
- Review CBP’s E-Commerce Counterfeit Awareness Guide for Consumers for more detailed information.
“The in-bond process allows imported merchandise to be entered at one U.S. port of entry without appraisement or payment of duties and transported by a bonded carrier to another U.S. port of entry or other authorized destination, provided all statutory and regulatory conditions are met. The CBP outbound exam of this shipment determined that those conditions were not met, and the shipment was seized consequently,” said CBP El Paso Director of Field Operations Hector Mancha.
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