CBP in Charleston Seizes Counterfeit Sports Clothing
November 30, 2009U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Port of Charleston seized 36,000 pieces of counterfeit Major League Baseball and National Basketball Association team jerseys and shorts, along with other commingled merchandise in a shipment last month, officials announced last week.
The shipment of counterfeit merchandise was discovered in a container during an examination. According to CBP, the cargo consisted of 2-piece boys’ sport clothing displaying counterfeit trademarks for the Pittsburgh Pirates, New York Yankees, New York Mets, Chicago Cubs, Florida Marlins, Texas Rangers, Detroit Tigers, and Dallas Mavericks. After CBP confirmed the shipment was counterfeit, the merchandise was seized on October 29. The shipment had a domestic value of $181,694 and a total manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $1,655,280.
“CBP is combating the importation of fake items and protecting the American economy by providing enhanced training for our officers, additional awareness and enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights laws, as well as increased outreach to the trade community,” said Robert A. Fencel, CBP area port director in Charleston. “Through these efforts, CBP will continue to play a key role in protecting both the American consumer and domestic businesses.”
CBP has designated intellectual property rights enforcement as a priority trade issue. The approach to enforcement includes seizing fake goods at U.S. borders, pushing the border outward through audits of infringing importers, and cooperation with international trading partners, and partnering with industry and other government agencies to enhance these efforts.
