Image courtesy: cbp.gov
Just in time for Valentine’s Day gifting, the US Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) in Louisville, KY seized 28 shipments of knockoff watches and jewelry, in January alone. According to the CBP, an estimated value of $975,000 per shipment (assuming the goods were legit) amounts to almost $27.5 million.
These confiscated shipments originated primarily in Hong Kong and China. Among items found were watches, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and rings, which allegedly infringe protected trademarks.
To avoid inadvertently purchasing counterfeit items, CBP recommends the following:
There are many ways consumers can protect themselves from spending their money on fakes:
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Purchase goods directly from the trademark holder or from authorized retailers.
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Know the market value of the item you are purchasing. If the item is priced well below what it should be, it could be counterfeit. If a price seems too good to be true, then it probably is.
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Look for legitimate web sites that offer customer service contact information and return policies.
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Review CBP’s E-Commerce Counterfeit Awareness Guide for Consumers.
Read more at cbp.gov
- Maura Carlin posted 2 weeks ago
- last edited 1 week ago
