Whatever one may think about Walmart (and other American mainstream shopping sources) selling knockoff or fake Birkins, less recognized are the implications for travel. With the CBP authorized to seize inauthentic luxury bags, what happens to the shopper who innocently purchases a bag from Walmart, only to find him- or herself stopped at the airport and accused of traveling with a fake? Is buying at an American store a defense? Or is the bag not a fake? Either way, the Walmart Birkin lookalike bag dubbed the “Wirkin” raises questions about which there’s been little consideration thus far.
Image courtesy: Walmart
So let’s go. Fakes, knockoffs, and the “look for less” handbags are nothing new. Whether you’re buying on the streets (or backrooms) of NYC’s Canal Street or visiting dupe shops online or in China, when the bag lacks provenance or says Channel and Pravda, you know it’s not Chanel and Prada. No one is tricking you into thinking the bag is legit, and your purchase is intentional. In other words, you have bought an IP-infringing handbag.
Read also: The Danger of Traveling with Fake Designer Bags to France This Summer
Image courtesy: Bloomberg
In recent years, we have written about governmental efforts to eliminate these knockoffs, particularly relating to international travel. In France, for example, there are airport signs warning travelers that buying or carrying fake handbags is a crime, subject to three years imprisonment and a €300,000 fine. Similar admonitions are seen in Italy.
Read also: What CBP Agents Can Do Without a Warrant While Traveling
But, the situation gets more complicated when you’re not buying on the obvious black market (or following some TikTokker’s or Redditor recs), but rather in a bastion of American commerce – Walmart stores. Since 1962, Walmart has built its reputation and loyal consumer base on providing items at low(er) cost, whether groceries, household items, or fashion.
Imagine an American mom picking up necessary items at her local Walmart, and, before paying, she checks out the handbags, perhaps for a diaper or work bag. She sees what is being called the Wirkin, and thinks, “gee, that’s nice” and buys it. Now, let’s say she’s never heard of Hermès or the Birkin, so for her this is just a fashionable and affordable choice. She’s not trying to “get over” on luxury companies, imitate a celebrity, make a statement about value, or buy into so-called dupe culture. It’s just a nice bag.
Image courtesy: The Independent
Then, she travels internationally, could be Europe, Asia, Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean. She takes her now-favorite handbag and on the way home, gets stopped by CBP, and the bag is confiscated. She’s out about $100, and may not understand what she did wrong.
Or did she do anything wrong? Is it a defense to say “I bought it at Walmart.” Perhaps it should be, at least for an individual, and let the finger (and damages) be pointed at the retailer.
What do you think?
CBP has not replied to our requests for comment.
Read related articles:
How Do We Really Feel About the Walmart Wirkin?
What CBP Agents Can Do Without a Warrant While Traveling
The Danger of Traveling with Fake Designer Bags to France This Summer
US Hermès Price Increase 2025 – Here are the New Prices
New Confirmed Hermès Prices in Europe 2025
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Updated: January 11th, 2025
Comments
1 Responses to “Innocent Purchase or Borderline Trouble? Traveling with a ‘Wirkin’”
I think just buying a beautiful leather bag with no one‘s name on it is all you need to do. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and I do not think that the bags in question are even beautiful. They actually look like Kmart handbags, so I’m not understanding why someone would not want just a beautiful handbag with no one’s name on it. Just a good leather bag. This is just rich people’s hype to prove that they’re better than anyone else by carrying a handbag that is not even pretty so who are you kidding not the real handbag lovers that’s for sure. Joanne.