U.S. Customs and Border Protection informed Blaze News that they recently intercepted a shipment of fake high-end watches that were en route to Texas.
These counterfeit timepieces are replicas of an expensive Swiss watch brand, which typically retail for around $38,000.
“Our officers are working hard to identify threats and shut down illicit suppliers,” CBP stated.
On October 23, officers at the Port of Louisville in Kentucky stopped a delivery of 460 counterfeit Audemars Piguet watches. The items were shipped from Hong Kong and intended for a residence in Texas, according to the agency.
Experts from the Centers of Excellence and Expertise confirmed the watches were counterfeit.
If the watches had been authentic, their total suggested retail price would have surpassed $66 million.
The watches were confiscated for “bearing counterfeit versions of registered and recorded trademarks.”
Philip Onken, the Port Director in Louisville, commented on the situation, noting that trade is escalating at “unprecedented” levels. “In May, these officers seized a counterfeit jewelry shipment valued at $14 million; in June, it was $54 million in fake watches; in July, counterfeit watches worth $28 million; and in August, they stopped another 300 counterfeit watches valued at $43 million,” Onken stated.
“Clearly, our officers are diligent in identifying threats and eliminating illegal suppliers,” he added.
CBP emphasized that illicit sales are among the “most profitable” transnational crimes and noted that they negatively impact legitimate businesses in the United States.
“Items such as counterfeit medications, perfumes, cosmetics, children’s toys, costumes, luxury products, and hazardous electronics can pose health and safety risks for consumers, as they are often produced with subpar or harmful materials,” the agency explained.
CBP encourages consumers to refer to its e-commerce counterfeit awareness guide to avoid supporting criminal counterfeiters.
