Image courtesy: cbp.gov
US Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) is aiding Cupid this Valentine’s Day, warning consumers “to make sure they’re getting their loved ones the real deal instead of knock-off goods.”
The advice comes after the Indianapolis CBP office seized two shipments valued together at $5.2 million (if real). Arriving on January 21 and 23, the shipments included 1439 charms with Tiffany logos, 496 rings with Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels (VCA) logos, 124 bracelets with Cartier and Chanel logos, 64 necklaces with Chanel and VCA logos, 12 pairs of earrings with VCA and Chanel logos, and six brooches with Chanel logos. All were seized as trademark infringing.
To help consumers recognize “red flags” when shopping, CBP recommends the following:
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Purchasing goods directly from the trademark holder, original manufacturer, or from authorized retailers.
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Educating yourself on prices of legitimate goods. If the item is priced well below fair market value, the likelihood is higher that the merchandise being considered for purchase is counterfeit. If a price seems too good to be true, then it probably is.
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Staying away from web sites that do not offer customer service contact information, return policies, and legitimate phone numbers.
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Reviewing CBP’s E-Commerce Counterfeit Awareness Guide for Consumers for more detailed information.
Read more at cbp.gov
- Maura Carlin posted 1 day ago
- last edited 12 hours ago
