CBP agents in International Falls seize counterfeit Apple AirPods valued at over $ 800,000

INTERNATIONAL FALLS, Minnesota – Officers from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Field Operations Office at the International Falls Port of Entry targeted a rail container destined to arrive in Ranier, Minnesota. CBP officers inspected the rail container and discovered counterfeit Apple AirPods that violated intellectual property rights (IPR) regulations.

On October 12, CBP seized 384 pairs of counterfeit AirPods with an estimated manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $ 813,216 if the goods were genuine.

“CBP is focused on identifying and intercepting counterfeit goods and products. Enforcing trade laws at US ports of entry remains a priority for us, ”said Anthony Jackson, Port Manager of International Falls. “Counterfeiting impairs the ability of legitimate copyright owners to profit from their original ideas. Counterfeiting also harms consumers as manufacturers of counterfeit products have little incentive to use safe, high-quality materials in their products. “

Stopping the flow of illicit goods is a priority business issue for CBP. Importing counterfeit goods can harm the American economy and threaten the health and safety of the American people. For more information on CBP’s priority IPR trade issue, visit: CBP Trade and IPR.

With the growth of foreign trade, unscrupulous companies have profited billions of dollars from the sale of counterfeit and pirated products. To combat the illicit trade in goods that violate IPR laws, trademark and copyright owners can register with CBP through an online system. Such a registration helps CBP officers and import specialists identify goods that violate US law.

CBP’s IPR enforcement strategy is multi-layered and includes seizing illegal goods at our borders, moving the border outward through audits of suspicious importers, cooperation with our international trading partners and collaboration. with industry and government agencies to strengthen these efforts.

CBP has implemented an educational initiative at U.S. international airports and online to educate consumers about the consequences and dangers that can be associated with purchasing counterfeit and pirated products. These include the loss of jobs in the United States, support for criminal activity, significant risks to consumer health and safety, and the impacts of unknowingly buying fakes online. For more information, see www.cbp.gov/fakegoodsrealdangers.

If you have information regarding suspected fraud or illegal business activity, please contact CBP through the e-Allegations e-commerce violation reporting system or by calling 1-800-BE-ALERT. IPR violations can also be reported to the National Center for the Coordination of Intellectual Property Rights at https://www.iprcenter.gov/referral/ or by phone at 1-866-IPR-2060.