The shipment, which originated from China, was manifested as bags, plastic toys and jewelry. However, when CBP officers examined the shipment, cartons of women's handbags bearing counterfeit Prada, Christian Dior, Michael Kors, and other name brands were discovered. Also in the shipment were cartons of plastic building blocks bearing the Lego brand. The total value of the shipment was $500,000.
CBP officers provided images of the items to the different trademark holders who each confirmed that the imported handbags and building blocks were counterfeit and confusingly similar to the genuine brand. The import specialists determined the MSRP value of the goods. The seized items, which were enroute to a Houston store, will be destroyed. Homeland Security Investigations is investigating.
Last year, CBP seized more than $4.7 million in intellectual property rights violations nationwide. Handbags and wallets were the highest valued seized goods with an value estimate of more than $700 million, up from more than $500 million in 2012.
To enforce intellectual property rights, CBP relies on trademark owners registering with the Patent and Trademark Office and by recording the trade name with CBP at e-Recordation. Agathon Associates can assist you in recording you trademarks.
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