US Customs Seizes $5.2 Million Worth of Counterfeit Jewelry From China
In a recent operation, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) successfully intercepted two shipments of counterfeit jewelry worth an estimated $5.2 million. The bust, which took place at the Indianapolis port, involved over 2,100 items of fake jewelry, including items bearing the logos of top luxury brands like Tiffany, Van Cleef & Arpels, Cartier, and Chanel.
The counterfeit goods arrived from China on January 21 and 23, 2025. The seized items included rings, brooches, bracelets, necklaces, earrings, and pendants. Among the most notable items were:
- 1,439 pieces of jewelry bearing the Tiffany & Co. logo
- 496 rings marked with Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels logos
- 124 bracelets imitating Cartier, Chanel, and Juste Un designs
- 64 necklaces mimicking designs from Chanel and Van Cleef & Arpels
- 31 pendants marked with Van Cleef & Arpels branding
- 12 pairs of earrings from Van Cleef, Arpels, and Chanel
- 6 counterfeit brooches featuring Chanel branding
These counterfeit items were seized for violating trademark protections, and if they were authentic, their retail value would total an impressive $5.2 million.
This interception highlights the ongoing issue with counterfeit luxury goods, particularly jewelry, which, due to its small size and high value, remains a popular target for counterfeiters. In a similar incident just before Christmas, CBP in Louisville seized multiple shipments from China, containing over 960 fake luxury watches, bracelets, necklaces, and earrings, with an estimated total value of more than $18 million.
With U.S. customs regulations becoming stricter, and frequent changes in tariffs, counterfeit goods are facing increased scrutiny. As a result, counterfeit items have less space to operate overseas and face greater challenges getting past customs.