U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized about 100 counterfeit Yeti mugs in Philadelphia. Photo: U.S. Customs and Border Protection
PHILADELPHIA–U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers in Philadelphia announce a recent seizure of 100 counterfeit mugs branded with the popular cooler company Yeti brand.
The parcel, manifested as “fishing reel iron products” arrived from Hong Kong, China April 4 and was destined to an individual consignee. The poor packaging and substandard quality led CBP officers to detain the shipment. Further investigation determined the shipment to be counterfeit.
CBP officers routinely examine imported shipments. Working with CBP’s Consumer Products and Mass Merchandising Centers for Excellence and Expertise, the agency’s trade experts, officers verified the mugs as counterfeits through the trademark holder.
Stopping the flow of fake goods is a priority for the U.S. government and CBP has designated Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) enforcement as a Priority Trade Issue. Importation of counterfeit merchandise can cause significant revenue loss, damage the U.S. economy and threaten the health and safety of American people, CBP officials say.
“Consumer safety and trademark protection is one of CBP’s top priorities. Our officers will continue to work closely with our trade and consumer safety partners to identify and seize counterfeit merchandise, especially those products that pose potential harm to American consumers,” said Joseph Martella, CBP Port DU.irector for the Area Port of Philadelphia.
This is Philadelphia CBP’s fifth significant counterfeit seizure in the last three months.
On March 6, CBP officers seized $1.4 Million in counterfeit designer brand jewelry. CBP officers seized $3 Million in counterfeit jewelry during two seizures March 20 and April 3. CBP officers also seized about $233,000 in counterfeit luxury watches February 27. All shipments arrived from Hong Kong and were destined to addresses in Philadelphia.
“The seizure of counterfeit items reflects the commitment and expertise of CBP officers and import specialists, and their dedication to preventing unlawful and potentially dangerous imports into the United States,” said Casey Durst, CBP Director of Field Operations in Baltimore. “We will remain vigilant and continue to advance our detection capabilities in order to secure our homeland and keep our communities safe and our economy prosperous.”
On a typical day in 2017, CBP officers seized $3.3 million worth of products with IPR violations. Learn more about what CBP did during “A Typical Day” in 2017.
In Fiscal Year (FY) 2017, the number of IPR seizures increased 8 percent to 34,143 from 31,560 in FY 2016. The total estimated MSRP of the seized goods, had they been genuine, decreased to $1.2 billion from $1.38 billion in FY 2016. Read more 2017 IPR Enforcement Statistics.
As a result of CBP enforcement efforts, ICE Homeland Security Investigations agents arrested 457 individuals, obtained 288 indictments, and received 242 convictions related to intellectual property crimes in 2017.