CBP Seizes Shipment Of Counterfeit Cigarettes From Vietnam Valued At More Than $729,000

U.S. Customs and Border Protection recently seized a shipment of counterfeit cigarettes valued at more than $729,000.

CBP said the shipment of cigarettes from Vietnam arrived at the Miami Seaport, and officers placed a hold on the shipment and detained it once it arrived at the Laredo Port of Entry in Texas in early March. The shipment of 17,500 cartons of cigarettes was examined, and import specialists assigned to the Agriculture Center for Excellence and Expertise determined they bore counterfeit marks.

Following a legal review, the shipment was seized on April 25. The counterfeit cigarettes, had they been genuine, would have been worth $729,400.

“Our CBP officers and import specialists continue to maintain their vigilance and exercise due diligence to ensure that fake goods do not enter U.S. commerce,” Port Director Albert Flores, Laredo Port of Entry, said in a statement. “They utilize their training, experience and information from the registered trademark owners to authenticate imported merchandise and when they encounter counterfeits to promptly detain and seize such items, thereby protecting the U.S. economy and the consumer.”

CBP is authorized to detain, seize, forfeit, and destroy imported merchandise that bears an infringing trademark or copyright. Other violations that result in seizure include misclassification of merchandise, false country-of-origin markings, health and safety issues, and valuation issues.