(CNSNews.com) – U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Chicago last Monday seized 86 counterfeit NFL, NBA and MLB champion rings that had been shipped into the United States from China.
âOn September 13, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Chicago port of entry seized a shipment from China that contained 86 championship rings,â CBP said in a statement.
âChicagoâs Trade Enforcement Team and CBPâs trade experts at the Centers of Excellence and Expertise determined the rings were counterfeit due to the fact that all of the goods were constructed of poor quality and lacked security features,â said CBP. âThe shipment was destined for a residence in Florissant, Missouri.â
LaFonda Sutton-Burke, the director of CBP field operations in Chicago, said: âShipments like these prey on the many sports fans across the nation who may be scammed into paying high prices for fake memorabilia. Iâm extremely proud of these officersâ determination in stopping illicit shipments, and our commitment to protecting the American economy.â
âThe parcel contained fake championship rings from the Chicago Bulls (24), New York Yankees (34), St. Louis Cardinals (22), and the Philadelphia Eagles (6),â said he CBP statement. âHad the rings been authentic, the Manufacturerâs Suggested Retail Price would have been $2.38 million.â
Here is the full text of the statement released by CBP:
â86 Counterfeit Championship Rings Seized by Chicago CBP
âRelease Date:Â September 14, 2021
âCHICAGOâ Sports memorabilia is a lucrative business. Fans and collectors pay top dollar for memorabilia to add to their collection or pass down to future fans. However, this business does have its phony dealers that peddle their counterfeit merchandise cashing in at the expense of collectors and fans.
âOn September 13, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Chicago port of entry seized a shipment from China that contained 86 championship rings. Chicagoâs Trade Enforcement Team and CBPâs trade experts at the Centers of Excellence and Expertise determined the rings were counterfeit due to the fact that all of the goods were constructed of poor quality and lacked security features. The shipment was destined for a residence in Florissant, Missouri.
ââShipments like these prey on the many sports fans across the nation who may be scammed into paying high prices for fake memorabilia,â said LaFonda Sutton-Burke, Director, Field Operations, Chicago. âIâm extremely proud of these officersâ determination in stopping illicit shipments, and our commitment to protecting the American economy.â
âThe parcel contained fake championship rings from the Chicago Bulls (24), New York Yankees (34), St. Louis Cardinals (22), and the Philadelphia Eagles (6). Had the rings been authentic, the Manufacturerâs Suggested Retail Price would have been $2.38 million.
âIntellectual Property Rights (IPR) enforcement is a Priority Trade Issue. Importation of counterfeit merchandise can cause significant revenue loss, damage the U.S. economy, and threaten the health and safety of the American people. In partnership with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, CBP seized 27,599 shipments with IPR violations in fiscal year 2019. If the seized products were genuine, the total manufacturerâs suggested retail price of the items would have been valued at over $1.5 billion.
âOver the past five years, e-commerce has grown exponentially as consumers are increasingly completing purchases online. These purchases are typically shipped through international mail and express courier services.
âSold in underground outlets and on third party e-commerce websites, counterfeit commodities fund smugglers and members of organized crime. Consumers often believe they are buying a genuine product but soon realize the item is substandard and potentially dangerous.
ââCounterfeiters easily hide in plain sight on online marketplaces. They dupe shoppers into buying low quality and dangerous counterfeits online,â said Shane Campbell, Area Port Director – Chicago. âCBP employees work tirelessly to protect our economy and consumers every day.â
âCBP Trade protects the intellectual property rights of American businesses through an aggressive Intellectual Property Rights enforcement program, safeguarding them from unfair competition and use for malicious intent while upholding American innovation and ingenuity. Suspected violations can be reported to CBP here.
âIf you are aware of, or suspect, a company or individual of infringing upon a trademark or copyright, please report the suspected violation to e-Allegations Online Trade Violation Reporting System or by calling 1-800-BE-ALERT.â