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In Fiscal Year 2020, CBP seized over 26,000 shipments of counterfeit goods that violated Intellectual Property Rights worth over $1.3 billion, had the goods been genuine.
By Forum Staff
U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Homeland Security Investigations in New York on Thursday hosted a joint media event at John F. Kennedy International Airport highlighting counterfeit goods.
Just in time for Black Friday, Cyber Monday and the rest of the holiday shopping madness, HSI and CBP offered a presentation about counterfeit goods and how consumers can protect themselves from purchasing “knockoffs” of brand-name items.
Every year, CBP seizes a wide variety of counterfeit products from all over the world. In Fiscal Year 2020, CBP seized over 26,000 shipments of counterfeit goods that violated Intellectual Property Rights worth over $1.3 billion, had the goods been genuine.
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“Buying from dubious websites can also put your personal and financial information at risk,” said HSI New York Deputy Special-Agent-in-Charge Erik Rosenblatt.
The theft of intellectual property and the trade in substandard and often dangerous goods threaten America’s economy, stifle innovation and are a danger to consumer health and safety. Further, these illicit activities fund criminal activities and support trans-national organized crime. CBP has established the Truth Behind Counterfeits educational campaign to raise consumer awareness about the health and safety, legal and economic consequences of purchasing counterfeit goods. For more information, visit cbp.gov/fakegoodsrealdangers.
“Shoppers this holiday season need to be on the lookout for potentially hazardous products while hunting for an online deal. Besides the potential danger of faulty electronics or tainted personal care products, you will also be wasting your hard-earned money on fake branding. Buying from dubious websites can also put your personal and financial information at risk,” said Homeland Security Investigations New York Deputy Special-Agent-in-Charge Erik Rosenblatt.
If you have any information regarding suspected fraud or illegal trade activity, contact CBP through the e-Allegations Online Trade Violation Reporting System or by calling 1-800-BE-ALERT. IPR violations can also be reported to the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center at iprcenter.gov/referral/ or by telephone at 1-866-IPR-2060.
