November 25, 09

NEWS / CBP In Charleston Seizes Counterfeit Sports Clothing

Charleston, S. C. — U.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 today.


CBP officers discovered the shipment of counterfeit merchandise in a container during an examination. The cargo consisted of 2 piece boy’s 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 confirming the shipment was counterfeit, the merchandise was seized on October 29. The shipment had a domestic value of $181,694 and a total manufacturers 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 strategic approach to enforcement is multi-layered and includes seizing fake goods at U.S. borders, pushing the border outward through audits of infringing importers and cooperation with our international trading partners, and partnering with industry and other government agencies to enhance these efforts. CBP devotes considerable resources and personnel to the enforcement of property rights.

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/11242009_6.xml