Over $9 million in counterfeit jewelry seized by Louisville customs agents

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LOUISVILLE, Ky. - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in Louisville, Kentucky, have seized more than 1,500 pieces of counterfeit jewelry, retailing for over $9 million dollars, had they been genuine. 

More than $9 million in counterfeit jewelry stopped by CBP

By the numbers:

According to CBP, 1,588 pieces of counterfeit jewelry in two express consignment shipments were stopped on April 3. 

The agency said the jewelry had a combined Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price of over $9.2 million, had it been genuine.

The shipments, which arrived from Hong Kong and were destined for a residence in New York, contained 691 pairs of earrings, 522 bracelets, 197 necklaces and 178 rings. 

Every piece of jewelry included designed brand names. (Credit: CBP)

Every piece of jewelry bore designed brand names, including Cartier, Chanel, Christian Dior, Fendi, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany, Van Cleef and Arpels and Yves St. Laurent trademarks. 

CBP officers suspected the jewelry to be counterfeit and detained them.

CBP’s trade experts verify products were counterfeit

Dig deeper:

CBP officers submitted documentation and photographs to CBP’s trade experts at the Consumer Products and Mass Merchandising Center of Excellence and Expertise for analysis. 

CBP’s trade experts worked with the trademark holders and verified that the products were counterfeit and subject to seizure pursuant to CBP’s statutory and regulatory authorities.

What they're saying:

"Illicit trade in counterfeit goods can be found in all products lines and all industries, representing a significant threat to America’s innovation economy, the competitiveness of our businesses, the livelihoods of U.S. workers and, in some cases, national security and the health and safety of consumers," Louisville Port Director Phil Onken, said in a statement. "Customs and Border Protection urges you to protect your families and the U.S. economy by only purchasing authentic consumer products from reputable retailers."

E-commerce allows easy access to counterfeit goods

Big picture view:

According to CBP, rapid growth of e-commerce enables consumers to search for and easily purchase millions of products through online vendors, but this easy access gives counterfeit and pirated goods more ways to enter the U.S. economy.

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U.S. consumers spend more than $100 billion every year on intellectual property rights (IPR) infringing goods, falling victim to approximately 20% of the counterfeits that are illegally sold worldwide.

During fiscal year 2025, CBP seized over 78,000,000 counterfeit goods with an estimated manufacturer’s suggested retail price worth over $7.3 billion, had the goods been genuine.