Press Release
INTERNATIONAL FALLS, Mn.–U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Field Operations officers at the International Falls Port of Entry targeted three rail containers destined to arrive in Ranier, Mn.
CBP officers inspected the rail containers and discovered several products in violation of intellectual property rights (IPR) regulations.
The counterfeit products included LED televisions, gas-pricing displays, Samsung and Apple chargers, and earphones.
On June 26, CBP seized 1,455 counterfeit televisions with an estimated manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $436,500 if the goods had been genuine.
On July 11, CBP seized gas-pricing displays with an estimated MSRP of $594,750 if the goods had been genuine.
On July 16, CBP seized counterfeit Samsung and Apple chargers as well as earphones with a MSRP of $55,172 if the goods had been genuine.
The total MSRP of the recent seizures is $1,086,422.
“The enforcement of trade laws at U.S. ports of entry remains a high priority for us,” said Anthony Jackson, International Falls port director.
“CBP works diligently to protect companies from unauthorized use of their trademarks as well as consumers from counterfeit products.”
Stopping the flow of illicit goods is a priority trade issue for CBP. The importation of counterfeit merchandise can damage the U.S. economy and threaten the health and safety of the American people.
With the growth of foreign trade, unscrupulous companies have profited billions of dollars from the sale of counterfeit and pirated goods.
To combat the illicit trade of merchandise violating laws relating to IPR, trademark and copyright holders may register with CBP through an online system.
Such registration assists CBP officers and import specialists in identifying merchandise that violates U.S. law.
If you have any information regarding suspected fraud or illegal trade activity, please contact CBP through the e-Allegations Online Trade Violation Reporting System or by calling 1-800-BE-ALERT.
IPR violations can also be reported to the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center at https://www.iprcenter.gov/referral/ or by telephone at 1-866-IPR-2060.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation’s borders at and between the official ports of entry.
CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.
