CrimeJul 02, 2024
Theodore Roosevelt’s Stolen Watch Winds Its Way HomeCrimeJul 10, 2024
US Customs Seizes $10M in Counterfeit Jewelry
Officers intercepted three packages within 24 hours containing fake goods claiming to be from various luxury brands.
Had the packages contained genuine fine jewelry, they would have had a combined retail value of more than $10.1 million.
Louisville, Ky.—U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Port of Louisville seized three packages containing fake goods within the span of 24 hours last week.
The packages were stopped for containing items that infringed on designers’ protected trademarks which had been recorded with CBP for border enforcement through the e-Recordation program.
The packages were handed over to Homeland Security Investigations for further analysis.
If the jewelry had been genuine, all three shipments would have had a combined retail value of more than $10.1 million.
The first package was halted on July 1, originating from China and heading to a residence in Brooklyn, New York.
It contained 1,466 pieces of jewelry bearing fake trademarks from Van Cleef & Arpels, Louis Vuitton, Hermès, Gucci, Tous, Dior, Prada, Versace, Tiffany & Co., Bulgari, Calvin Klein, Cartier, Chanel, Michael Kors, Carolina Herrera, Tory Burch, Rolex, Yves Saint Laurent, and Daniel Wellington.
The retail value of these items would have been over $5.1 million, if genuine.
On July 2, two additional packages were seized, also originating from China. However, they were heading to separate residential addresses in Miami, Florida.
The second shipment contained necklaces, bracelets, and earrings with fake trademarks from Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels, while the third package contained counterfeit necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and rings from these brands.
Together, these two packages had a total of 921 pieces of counterfeit jewelry that would have a retail value of nearly $5 million if they were genuine.
Related stories will be right here …
The packages were stopped for containing items that infringed on designers’ protected trademarks which had been recorded with CBP for border enforcement through the e-Recordation program.
The packages were handed over to Homeland Security Investigations for further analysis.
If the jewelry had been genuine, all three shipments would have had a combined retail value of more than $10.1 million.
The first package was halted on July 1, originating from China and heading to a residence in Brooklyn, New York.
It contained 1,466 pieces of jewelry bearing fake trademarks from Van Cleef & Arpels, Louis Vuitton, Hermès, Gucci, Tous, Dior, Prada, Versace, Tiffany & Co., Bulgari, Calvin Klein, Cartier, Chanel, Michael Kors, Carolina Herrera, Tory Burch, Rolex, Yves Saint Laurent, and Daniel Wellington.
The retail value of these items would have been over $5.1 million, if genuine.
On July 2, two additional packages were seized, also originating from China. However, they were heading to separate residential addresses in Miami, Florida.
The second shipment contained necklaces, bracelets, and earrings with fake trademarks from Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels, while the third package contained counterfeit necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and rings from these brands.
Together, these two packages had a total of 921 pieces of counterfeit jewelry that would have a retail value of nearly $5 million if they were genuine.
“These large seizures illustrate the work our officers do every day to protect our country, its citizens, and the economy,” said LaFonda D. Sutton-Burke, director of Chicago Field Operations.
“Every day, CBP officers are seizing these fraudulent de minimis shipments sent by bad actors. Criminals are trying to exploit the mail environment by peddling their counterfeit products. Even though this package had a low declare value, they pose the same potential health, safety, and economic security risks as larger and more traditional containerized shipments.”
The three seized packages were uninsured and imported to Louisville under de minimis regulations, also known as “Section 321,” allowing shipments to pass through CBP free of duty and tax, by marking the merchandise as imported by one person on one day with an aggregated fair retail value in the country of shipment of $800 or less.
CBP estimates that nearly 90 percent of shipments coming into the U.S. are claiming the de minimis exception.
With the rise of e-commerce and small packages, CBP says “illegal actors are taking advantage of the unprecedented volume of e-commerce shipments entering the U.S. and the opacity of global supply chains to introduce illicit goods into the country.”
CBP has an educational initiative to raise consumer awareness on the consequences and dangers associated with purchasing counterfeit goods and encourages anyone with information about counterfeit merchandise illegally imported into the U.S. to submit an anonymous e-Allegation report.
More on Crime
The Latest
MajorsAug 26, 2024
Longtime Industry Sales Trainer Lenny Zell Dies at 97Said to be the first to write a jewelry sales manual for the industry, Zell is remembered for his zest for life.
WatchesAug 26, 2024
IWC Is Sending Its Watches to SpaceThe company outfitted the Polaris Dawn spaceflight crew with watches that will later be auctioned off to benefit St. Jude’s.
AuctionsAug 23, 2024
Abernethy Pearl Tops Estimates at Auction A buyer paid more than $100,000 for the gemstone known as “Little Willie,” setting a new auction record for a Scottish freshwater pearl.
Brought to you by
Watch: Natural Diamonds: A Great (but Often Untold) Geology StorySupplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA.
CollectionsAug 23, 2024
Piece of the Week: Gumuchian’s Colorful ‘Spectrum’ NecklaceAnita Gumuchian created the 18-karat yellow gold necklace using 189 carats of colored gemstones she spent the last 40 years collecting.
Weekly QuizAug 23, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingAug 22, 2024
2,492-Carat Diamond Recovered From Botswana Diamond MineThe giant gem came from Karowe, the same mine that yielded the 1,109-carat Lesedi La Rona and the 1,758-carat Sewelô diamond.
TrendsAug 22, 2024
Kaley Cuoco Has a Three-Stone Engagement Ring With a TwistThe three-stone ring was designed by Shahla Karimi Jewelry and represents Cuoco, her fiancé Tom Pelphrey, and their child.
Brought to you by
Watch: Forging the Next Generation of Skilled Bench Jewelers at GIASupplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA
CollectionsAug 22, 2024
Greenwich St. Jewelers Collabs with TikTok Jewelry Content CreatorThe Manhattan jewelry store has partnered with Xarissa B. of Jewel Boxing on a necklace capsule collection.
TechnologyAug 21, 2024
Instagram’s Notes Feature Expands to Posts, ReelsActing as temporary virtual Post-it notes, Notes are designed to help strengthen mutual connections, not reach new audiences.
TrendsAug 21, 2024
Carol Woolton To Release New BookThe jewelry historian discusses the history and cultural significance of jewelry throughout time and across the globe.
TrendsAug 21, 2024
Amanda’s Style File: Shimmy and ShakeFrom fringe and tassels to pieces that give the illusion they are in motion, jewelry with movement is trending.
IndependentsAug 20, 2024
Mixed-Media Jewelry Artist Jan Yager Dies at 72The designer and maker found community around her Philadelphia studio and creative inspiration on the sidewalks below it.
ColumnistsAug 20, 2024
Google Ads Payment Policy Change: What It Means For YouThe change to accepted payment methods for Google Ads might seem like an irritation but actually is an opportunity, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
IndependentsAug 20, 2024
Pat Henneberry Releases MemoirThe industry consultant’s new book focuses on what she learned as an athlete recovering from a broken back.
Events & AwardsAug 20, 2024
The Ethical Gem Fair Is Going to CaliforniaThe fair will take place on the West Coast for the first time, hosted by Altana Fine Jewelry in Oakland, California.
MajorsAug 20, 2024
Kathy Hillelson Joins Board of WJA Foundation Hillelson is a second-generation diamantaire and CEO of Owl Financial Group.
Events & AwardsAug 19, 2024
Nominations Are Open for the 2025 Gem AwardsSubmissions in the categories of Jewelry Design, Media Excellence, and Retail Excellence will be accepted through this Friday, Aug. 23.
AuctionsAug 19, 2024
Scotland’s Famed Abernethy Pearl Is Up for Sale Known as “Little Willie,” it’s the largest freshwater pearl found in recent history in Scotland and is notable for its shape and color.
IndependentsAug 19, 2024
Kentucky Jeweler Closing After 89 YearsClements Jewelers in Madisonville cited competition from larger retailers and online sellers as the driving factor.
SourcingAug 19, 2024
A&C Gem Trading Corp. Relocates, Opens Wholesale ShowroomThe gemstone company is moving to the Ross Metal Exchange in New York City’s Diamond District.
IndependentsAug 16, 2024
Louis Anthony Jewelers Announces First Resort StoreThe Pittsburgh jeweler has opened a store in the nearby Nemacolin resort.
CollectionsAug 16, 2024
Piece of the Week: Jonne Amaya’s ‘Cat Claw’ NecklaceWith a 40-carat cabochon emerald, this necklace is as powerful and elegant as a cat.
Events & AwardsAug 16, 2024
IJO Names Jewel-Craft as VIP Vendor of the YearThe Erlanger, Kentucky-based company was recognized for its reliability when it comes to repairs and fast turnaround times.
SourcingAug 15, 2024
Greenland Ruby Is Up For SaleUnable to pay its debts, the ruby and sapphire miner is looking to restructure and become a “competitive and attractive” company.
TrendsAug 15, 2024
Paola De Luca to Debut Trendbook 2026+ at VicenzaoroThe trend forecaster’s latest guide has intel on upcoming trends in the jewelry market.
Events & AwardsAug 15, 2024
Heather Ingraham Awarded WJA Helene Fortunoff Scholarship Ingraham said she’ll use the scholarship funds to attend the Women’s Leadership Program at the Yale School of Management.
