Nearly $4 Million in Counterfeit Goods — Mostly From China — Seized at Houston Airport

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston intercepted nearly $4 million worth of counterfeit merchandise, including sports apparel, luxury handbags, designer sunglasses and computer systems linked to Jaguar Land Rover.

What CBP Found

CBP says most of the shipments originated in China and were headed to addresses both inside the United States and abroad. Trade specialists at the agency's Centers of Excellence and Expertise examined the shipments and determined the items were inauthentic because they bore counterfeit trademarks.

The seized goods included MLB and Nike apparel, Louis Vuitton handbags, Cartier sunglasses and Jaguar Land Rover computer systems. Had they been genuine, their total retail value would have been about $3.7 million.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Why This Matters

CBP warns that certain product categories are especially vulnerable to counterfeiting: handbags, wallets, apparel, footwear, watches, jewelry and consumer electronics. The agency also says the rapid growth of e-commerce has made it easier for illicit sellers to reach buyers seeking bargains on illegitimate sites.

“Counterfeit goods can often be spotted by their inferior quality. Peeling labels, low-quality ink or printing errors on the packaging, and loosely packed items in the box can be signs that the product you purchased may not be legitimate,” the agency said. “Counterfeit apparel and handbags may feature poor or uneven stitching and improperly sized or designed logos. The performance of counterfeit electronics is often marked by short battery life and regular overheating.”

“Counterfeit goods are poor quality products that cost U.S. businesses billions of dollars a year while robbing our country of jobs and tax revenues,” said CBP Area Port Director Roderick Hudson. “CBP officers remain vigilant in protecting the American consumer and we are committed to stopping counterfeit smuggling. These interceptions combat illicit actors and organized crime and help protect communities from potentially hazardous knockoffs.”

CBP urges consumers to purchase from legitimate retailers and reputable online sellers, to inspect packaging and labels carefully, and to report suspicious listings or shipments.

Bottom line: Law enforcement actions like this seizure aim to protect consumers, legitimate brands and the economy from the harms of counterfeit goods.