CBP Nabs $3.5 Million of Counterfeit Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra Jewelry in Puerto Rico

Image courtesy: cbp.com

There may be a trade war brewing between the United States and China, but that hasn’t yet stopped fake designer jewelry from trying to enter the United States. On February 20, 2025, the US Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) seized a shipment of jewelry from China that, had it been legitimate Van Cleef & Arpels ((VCA), would have been worth about $3.5 million. The 660 items nabbed were headed to an address in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, and included rings, bracelets, and necklaces, all in the popular VCA Alhambra design.

At this time, the CBP once again reminds everyone of the dangers and violations that come with purchasing counterfeit items. Efrain Rivas, Assistant Director of Field Operations for Trade at the San Juan Field Office, states:

“Buying counterfeit luxury jewelry from China may seem like a bargain, but it often fuels criminal enterprises involved in money laundering, forced labor, and even organized crime. These counterfeit networks exploit workers, evade taxes, and undermine legitimate businesses while funding illicit activities such as human trafficking and drug trade . . . Every purchase supports an underground economy that thrives on deception and exploitation.”