<p>Federal law enforcement in Chicago seized an international shipment of 200 counterfeit Cartier watches concealed in two packages mailed from China.</p>
<p>U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at Chicago O’Hare International Airport intercepted two shipments on September 18 that contained 200 lookalike designer watches that, if authentic, would have retailed for $28 million, the Washington Examiner has learned. The packages were sent from Hong Kong, China, and were bound for California but were seized before reaching their final destination.</p>
<p>The seizure is part of a broader effort by the federal government to stop counterfeit luxury and brand-name goods from entering the United States, which can fund global crime rings that engage in other illegal activities.</p>
<p>“Counterfeit and pirated products threaten our economic security by hurting legitimate businesses who invest significantly in resources to protect their brands,” said Michael Pfeiffer, acting Director of Field Operations for CBP’s Chicago Field Office. “Additionally, these products often pose serious health and safety hazards to the people who buy and use them.”</p>
<p>CBP’s Anti-Terrorism Contraband Enforcement Team seized the watches, and a review by CBP’s trade experts at its Centers for Excellence and Expertise revealed that the registered and recorded trademarks on the watches were inauthentic.</p>
<p>Cartier has more than 200 types of watches listed online that range from $3,750 to $298,000. CBP shared several examples of the watches it seized, including a square-faced piece that appeared to be covered in fake diamonds.</p>
<p>CBP enforces intellectual property rights of U.S. businesses by screening international mail and packages as they arrive in the country.</p>
<p>According to CBP, organized crime groups are often involved in the production and distribution of knock-off goods, as well as retail theft, to expand their business and grow profits.</p>
<p>“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,” CBP stated in a press release.</p>
<p>Frequently counterfeited items include medication, perfume, cosmetics, children’s toys and costumes, clothing, jewelry, luxury products, electronics, and automotive parts, which can create risks for consumers because these products do not face the same health and safety requirements as the authentic versions.</p>
<p>Cartier did not respond to a request for comment.</p>