The items were labeled as Cartier and Tiffany.
PHILADELPHIA – U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers in Philadelphia found counterfeit designer jewelry that, if authentic, would have a retail price of over $3 million.
CBP officers seized 23 pieces on March 20 and 64 pieces on April 3. Both shipments came from Hong Kong.
The parcels contained bracelets, earrings and rings bearing the names Cartier and Tiffany. Officers were suspicious because the packaging and contents were of poor quality, according to a press release from the agency.
“Our primary concerns in situations like these are consumer safety and trademark protection,” said Joseph Martella, CBP area port director for Philadelphia. “Customs and Border Protection will continue to work closely with our trade and consumer safety partners to identify and seize counterfeit and inferior merchandise, especially those products that pose potential harm to American consumers.”
This is Philadelphia CBP’s third significant counterfeit jewelry seizure this year. On Feb. 28, officers seized $233,000 in counterfeit designer brand watches from Hong Kong. And on March 6, they seized $1.4 million in counterfeit designer jewelry, also from Hong Kong.
Four Decades of Excellence: How Wilkerson Transformed a Jeweler's Retirement into Celebration
After 45 years serving the Milwaukee community, Treiber & Straub Jewelers owner Michael Straub faced a significant life transition. At 75, the veteran jeweler made a personal decision many business owners understand: "I think it's time. I want to enjoy my wife with my grandchildren for the next 10, 15 years."
Wilkerson's expertise transformed this major business transition into an extraordinary success. Their comprehensive approach to managing the going-out-of-business sale created unprecedented customer response—with lines forming outside the store and limits on how many shoppers could enter at once due to fire safety regulations.
The results exceeded all expectations. "Wilkerson did a phenomenal job," Straub enthuses. "They were there for you through the whole thing, helped you with promoting it, helping you on day-to-day business. I can't speak enough for how well they did." The partnership didn't just facilitate a business closing; it created a celebratory finale to decades of service while allowing Straub to confidently step into his well-earned retirement.
