CBP Officers Intercept Counterfeit Goods Worth $637,000 at O’Hare Intl. Mail Facility

HI INDIA NEWS DESK
CHICAGO, IL – On June 4, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at Chicago O’Hare’s International Mail Facility discovered counterfeit goods in a shipment labeled as ‘Fashion Sunglasses.’ The shipment contained not only sunglasses but also designer socks and luxury brand watches, all determined to be inauthentic and carrying counterfeit marks. CBP officers found 36 pairs of counterfeit sunglasses from designers such as Louis Vuitton, Versace, and Chanel, along with 25 pairs of socks with counterfeit Gucci, Hermes, Louis Vuitton, and Dior trademarks. Additionally, they intercepted 22 watches bearing counterfeit trademarks from brands like Franck Muller, Patek Philippe, Adidas, and Rolex. The shipment, originating from Thailand and bound for a residence in Bedford, Indiana, had an estimated total value of nearly $638,000 if the goods had been genuine.

LaFonda D. Sutton-Burke, Director of Field Operations for the Chicago Field Office, emphasized CBP’s commitment to protecting honest trade and businesses while preventing consumer fraud. CBP’s efforts are focused on stopping the flow of illegitimate and pirated merchandise, which defraud consumers and businesses. With the rise of e-commerce, counterfeit and pirated goods have more opportunities to enter the U.S. economy, with U.S. consumers spending over $100 billion annually on such goods.

Michael Pfeiffer, Chicago’s Acting Area Port Director, highlighted the challenges posed by counterfeiters operating on online marketplaces. These counterfeiters deceive shoppers into purchasing low-quality and potentially harmful products. CBP employees work tirelessly to safeguard the economy and protect consumers.

To raise consumer awareness about the risks associated with purchasing counterfeit and pirated goods, CBP has launched an educational initiative. Consumers can find more information about this initiative at www.cbp.gov/fakegoodsrealdangers. Suspected counterfeits can be reported through CBP’s online e-Allegations portal or by calling 1-800-BE-ALERT.

Brand owners interested in partnering with CBP to prevent the importation of counterfeit and substandard goods can visit https://iprr.cbp.gov/s/ for details about the e-Recordation program.