U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized 875 pieces of counterfeit jewelry and five handbags at its express consignment facility in Indianapolis.
The shipment, sent from Hong Kong to a residence in Georgia, would have had a combined manufacturer’s suggested retail value of more than $3.7 million if the products had been genuine.
Luxury Trademarks Identified
CBP officers inspected the parcel on August 18 and found earrings, necklaces and bracelets bearing trademarks associated with Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Versace, Gucci, Tiffany & Co., Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels.
Specialists from CBP’s Centers of Excellence and Expertise determined that the products were not authentic. The agency seized the shipment for using counterfeit versions of registered and recorded trademarks.
“CBP remains committed to stopping counterfeit smuggling, taking profits from organized crime, and protecting communities from potentially hazardous knockoffs,” Indianapolis Port Director Brett Mueller said.
Counterfeit Seizures in the United States
In fiscal year 2025, CBP seized nearly 79 million counterfeit items with an estimated retail value of more than $7.3 billion if they had been genuine. Clothing, consumer electronics, toys and medications were among the leading categories.CBP
The agency identifies jewelry, watches, handbags, apparel, footwear and electronics as product categories at higher risk of counterfeiting. These goods are frequently sold through online marketplaces and other retail channels, requiring jewelers to consider product authentication and supply-chain documentation when sourcing branded merchandise.
