CBP Seizes Perfume
August 25, 2009
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers performing routine inspections at Port Everglades intercepted 9,984 bottles of fake “Perry Ellis” perfume.
During examination of the perfume shipment originating in China, CBP officers discovered possible violations of the Perry Ellis registered trademark. Samples of the perfume were sent to the commodity specialist team for review and investigation, and the shipment was seized for trademark violation.
“The people who traffic in this type of crime not only steal from legitimate companies, but they also dupe the unknowing consumer into buying items that are substandard. In some cases a counterfeit item that does not meet the manufacturer’s specifications can threaten the health or safety of a consumer. CBP Field Operations in Miami is committed to stopping trade in pirated and counterfeit goods,” said Director of Field Operations Harold Woodward.
The domestic value of the shipment is $41,920. If it had been genuine Perry Ellis perfume, the manufacturer’s suggested retail price would have been $279,552.
During fiscal year 2008, CBP and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement seized more than $272 million worth of counterfeit items nationwide. Perfumes and colognes are among the top commodities seized, accounting for $6.7 million or 2% of the total domestic value of intellectual property rights seizures.
