Customs Officials Seize $27 Million in Counterfeit Jewelry Shipments in Louisville
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers in Louisville, Kentucky, intercepted 28 shipments containing counterfeit luxury jewelry in January, highlighting the ongoing battle against counterfeit goods.
Most of these fake jewelry items, valued at over $27 million if genuine, originated from China and Hong Kong, according to CBP. The shipments were intended for delivery throughout the United States.
The Chicago Field Office of CBP shared details of one particularly misleading shipment labeled as containing women’s yoga pants. Instead of sweatpants, officers found luxury counterfeits, including 44 fake Patek Philippe watches, 15 counterfeit Audemars Piguet watches, 20 fake Rolexes, 30 imitation Cartier watches, and 87 fraudulent Louis Vuitton hats.
Counterfeit jewelry continues to top the list of intellectual property seizures over the past three years, closely followed by watches, handbags, and wallets. The vast majority—around 90%—of counterfeit goods seized by Customs in 2024 originated from China and Hong Kong.
To help consumers avoid falling victim to counterfeits, CBP recommends purchasing items directly from brands or authorized retailers, being wary of deals that seem suspiciously inexpensive, and shopping only from reputable websites that offer clear return policies and customer support.