Port of Newark/New York – When you buy that designer handbag you want to be confident that it is the actual designer handbag. This is one of the reasons why U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) seeks to prevent the entry of counterfeit merchandise into the United States.


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Counterfeit Michael Kors handbag, seized by CBP.
Counterfeit Michael Kors handbag, seized by CBP.

On October 11th, CBP officers at the Port of New York/New Jersey selected for inspection a shipment of imported merchandise declared on entry documents as “plastics.”

Upon examination, CBP officers and import specialists determined that the imported merchandise was actually 537 cartons of handbags, belts, and wallets bearing counterfeit Louis Vuitton, Gucci and Michael Kors trademarks in violation of 19 U.S.C. §1526.

“These interceptions are indicative of the exceptional skill level and superior commodity expertise of our CBP officers and import specialists at the Port of New York/New Jersey,” said Robert E. Perez, Director, Field Operations New York. Preventing the entry of counterfeit items is crucial to protecting consumers as well as the economy of the United States.”

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Counterfeit Louis Vuitton handbag, seized by CBP.
Counterfeit Louis Vuitton handbag, seized by CBP.

The manufacturer’s suggested retail price of the bags, belts, and wallets, if genuine, was estimated to be more than $20,000,000.00.

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.