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.