U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers recently intercepted a shipment of counterfeit Sharpie felt-tip pens destined for Birdsboro, Berks County, Pennsylvania. On February 26, officers seized 3,000 fake Sharpies that had been shipped from China. The counterfeit items were valued at approximately $1,530, had they been genuine.
The seizure was part of a larger operation by CBP officers in Allentown, where multiple shipments of counterfeit goods, including luxury skincare products, were also intercepted. These counterfeit cosmetics, if genuine, would have been valued at nearly $28,550. Authorities warn that counterfeit cosmetics pose serious health risks, as they may contain harmful chemicals, including substances linked to cancer and other health issues.
Cleatus P. Hunt, Jr., CBP’s Area Port Director for Philadelphia, emphasized the dangers of purchasing counterfeit goods, stating, "The global marketplace has allowed unscrupulous vendors to peddle counterfeit consumer goods as authentic products to unsuspecting consumers, and profit handsomely while placing consumers’ health and safety at risk." He urged consumers to buy from reputable retailers to avoid potential health hazards.
CBP officers worked with intellectual property experts and brand holders to confirm the goods were counterfeit. The agency continues to monitor shipments for counterfeit merchandise and encourages the public to report suspected counterfeit goods via e-Allegations.
BUT WAIT THERE IS MORE.....
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents have seized counterfeit cosmetic products valued at over $28,000 in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Over the past two weeks, CBP intercepted four shipments of fake brand-name anti-aging facial creams destined for addresses in the area.
The seized items were part of a broader effort by federal officials to crack down on counterfeit goods entering the United States. These counterfeit products can pose significant risks to consumers, as they often do not meet safety standards and can contain harmful ingredients.
The CBP's actions are part of an ongoing initiative to protect consumers from potentially dangerous counterfeit goods and to uphold intellectual property rights. The agency continues to monitor shipments entering the country to prevent the distribution of counterfeit items.