SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at an express consignment location seized a shipment containing fake designer jewelry worth $3.5 million, had it been genuine.
The consignment was intercepted on Feb. 20, originating from China and destined for a residence in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico. The package contained 660 jewelry items such as rings, bracelets and necklaces, which resembled the well-known luxury brand Van Cleef & Arpels’ “Alhambra” line.
“Buying counterfeit luxury jewelry from China may seem like a bargain, but it often fuels criminal enterprises involved in money laundering, forced labor, and even organized crime. These counterfeit networks exploit workers, evade taxes, and undermine legitimate businesses while funding illicit activities such as human trafficking and drug trade,” stated Efrain Rivas, Assistant Director of Field Operations for Trade at the San Juan Field Office. “ Every purchase supports an underground economy that thrives on deception and exploitation.”
CBP recommends consumers recognize the red flags to look for when shopping discounts:
- Purchasing goods directly from the trademark holder, original manufacturer, or from authorized retailers.
- Educating yourself on 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.
- Staying away from web sites that do not offer customer service contact information, return policies, and legitimate phone numbers.
- Reviewing CBP’s E-Commerce Counterfeit Awareness Guide for Consumers for more detailed information.
CBP provides basic import information about admissibility requirements and the clearance process for e-commerce goods and encourages buyers to confirm that their purchases and the importation of those purchases comply with state and federal import regulations.
The dangers of buying counterfeit products aren’t always obvious to consumers. Particularly, when shopping online, beware of counterfeit goods. Fake goods can lead to real dangers. For more information, visit The Truth Behind Counterfeits page.
Suspected intellectual property rights violations, fraud, or illegal trade activity can be reported by contacting CBP through the e-Allegations Online Trade Violations Reporting System or by calling 1-800-BE-ALERT. Violations can also be reported to the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center at https://www.iprcenter.gov/referral/ or by telephone at 1-866-IPR-2060.
