Smorgasbord of counterfeit jewelry valued at over $3 million intercepted by Indianapolis CBP
INDIANAPOLIS— On August 18, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at Indianapolis’ express consignment facility seized a shipment containing 875 pieces of jewelry. Had these items been genuine, the shipment would have had a combined manufacturer’s suggested retail price of over $3.7 million.
The shipment from Hong Kong was headed to a residence in Georgia when officers pulled the parcel for inspection. The examination revealed 875 pieces of jewelry (earrings, necklaces, and bracelets) and five designer handbags. All items bore suspected Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Versace, Gucci, Tiffany & Company, Cartier and Van Cleef and Arpels trademarks. The items were deemed to be inauthentic by CBP’s Centers of Excellence and Expertise, the agency’s trade experts, and were seized for bearing counterfeit versions of registered and recorded trademarks.
“CBP has an exceptional team of officers and import specialists who are experts in identifying counterfeit goods and work closely with private industry to thwart intellectual property infringement,” said Indianapolis Port Director Brett Mueller. “CBP remains committed to stopping counterfeit smuggling, taking profits from organized crime, and protecting communities from potentially hazardous knockoffs.”
CBP data indicates that handbags, wallets, apparel, footwear, watches, jewelry, and consumer electronics are at higher risk of being counterfeited. Counterfeit versions of popular brands are regularly sold in online marketplaces and flea markets. Not only are counterfeit goods produced in unregulated and potentially exploitative environments in foreign countries, but the profits from their sales provide a funding stream to organized crime.
Illegitimate sales are some of the most profitable transnational crimes. Counterfeiters sell inauthentic versions of popular products in response to trends, often through online sources, which adversely impacts legitimate U.S. businesses. These items, including fake medications; perfumes and cosmetics; children’s toys and costumes; fashion, jewelry, and luxury products; and unsafe electronics and automative parts, can pose serious health and safety risks to American consumers as they are often made with substandard or harmful materials.
CBP helps disrupt these illegal practices. In fiscal year 2025, CBP seized nearly 79 million counterfeit items with a combined MSRP value of over $7.3 billion, had these items been genuine. Counterfeit clothing, consumer electronics, toys, and medications were among the top seized items.
CBP protects the intellectual property rights of American businesses through an aggressive Intellectual Property Rights enforcement program, safeguarding them from unfair competition and use for malicious intent while upholding American innovation and ingenuity.
CBP has established an educational initiative to raise consumer awareness about the consequences and dangers that can be associated with the purchase of counterfeit and pirated goods. Information about the Truth Behind Counterfeits campaign can be found at www.cbp.gov/fakegoodsrealdangers.
Under the leadership of President Donald J. Trump and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers stop illegal activity and facilitate lawful commerce into and out of the United States.
If you have any information regarding suspected fraud or illegal trade activity, please contact CBP through the e-Allegations Online through the Trade Violations Reporting website or by calling 1-800-BE-ALERT. IPR violations can also be reported to the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center at https://www.iprcenter.gov/referral/ or by telephone at 1-866-IPR-2060.
Follow CBP on X @CBPChicago and @DFOChicago.
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