September 1, 09

NEWS / Norfolk CBP Stops $3.8 Million Shipment of Counterfeit Gucci Shoes

Norfolk, Va. — U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Norfolk seized more than 15,000 pairs of counterfeit Gucci shoes on August 25, officials announced today.


During a routine inspection, CBP officers discovered the counterfeits and seized the goods under federal law prohibiting the importation of merchandise bearing a counterfeit trademark. The shipment, which originated from China, was manifested as home decorations. CBP seized a total of 15,104 pairs of counterfeit Gucci shoes contained in 472 cartons. The shipment had a total domestic value of $1,963,520 and a manufacturers suggested retail price of $3,851,520.

The CBP strategic approach to intellectual property rights enforcement is multi-layered and includes seizing counterfeit goods at the border, 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 officers and import specialists are aggressively working together to intercept shipments containing counterfeit and pirated items. "CBP is charged with enforcing trade laws and we continue to devote substantial resources to target, intercept, detain, seize and forfeit shipments of goods that violate these laws," said Mark J. Laria, area port director, Norfolk.

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/09012009.xml