CBP officers seize more than $150,000 worth of fake electronics

BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Buffalo port of entry, Peace Bridge warehouse, seized nearly 1,000 electronic devices bearing counterfeit trademarks on March 30 that if authentic, would have been worth about $150,000.

CBP officers working in the warehouse encountered a commercial vehicle on Feb. 21 that contained multiple shipments of cell phones, smart watches, and streaming devices. Further investigation into the items determined them to be inauthentic and were subsequentially seized for bearing counterfeit trademarks.

On March 30, the CBP Consumer Products and Mass Merchandising Center of Excellence and Expertise, which are CBP's trade experts, appraised the products at $150,000 Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price had these items been genuine.

"This seizure underscores the critical role that CBP officers play in protecting consumers and legitimate businesses from the dangers of counterfeit goods," said Acting Port Director Sharon Swiatek. "Our officers are safeguarding both the integrity of our supply chain and the safety of the public."

CBP has the authority to detain, seize, forfeit, and ultimately destroy imported merchandise if it bears an infringing trademark or copyright that has been registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office or the United States Copyright Office and has subsequently been recorded with CBP through the e-Recordation program (https://iprr.cbp.gov/s/). Other violations can include misclassification of merchandise, false country-of-origin markings, health and safety issues, and valuation issues.

CBP protects businesses and consumers every day through an aggressive Intellectual Property Rights enforcement program.

Trade in counterfeit and pirated goods threatens America's innovation economy, the competitiveness of our businesses, the livelihoods of U.S. workers, and, in some cases, national security and the health and safety of consumers. It is also against the law to import counterfeit or pirated merchandise and individual consumers may be liable for a fine even if they did not intend to import counterfeit or pirated merchandise.

CBP has established an educational initiative to raise consumer awareness about the consequences and dangers that can be associated with the purchase of counterfeit and pirated goods. Information about the Truth Behind Counterfeits campaign can be found at CBP's Fake Goods Real Dangers webpage.

During fiscal year 2025, CBP seized over 78,000,000 counterfeit goods with an estimated manufacturer's suggested retail price worth over $7.3 billion, had the goods been genuine. News media can search for additional enforcement details by viewing CBP's IPR webpage or by viewing CBP's IPR Dashboard and CBP's Annual IPR Seizures Reports.

If you have information about counterfeit merchandise being illegally imported into the U.S., CBP encourages you to submit an anonymous tip to CBP's e-Allegation Program.

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U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is America's frontline: the nation's largest law enforcement organization and the world's first unified border management agency. The 67,000+ men and women of CBP protect America on the ground, in the air, and on the seas. We enforce safe, lawful travel and trade and ensure our country's economic prosperity. We enhance the nation's security through innovation, intelligence, collaboration, and trust.

• Topics
• Intellectual Property Rights