CBP in Savannah Seizes Counterfeit Handbags, Nike Sneakers

January 13, 2010: U.S. Customs and Border Protection at the Port of Savannah, Ga. intercepted and seized a shipment of counterfeit designer handbags and Nike sneakers, officials announced yesterday. The shipment had a total domestic value of $216,000 and a manufacturers’ suggested retail price of $7.1 million.

The shipment was selected for examination after CBP officers became suspicious of the documentation that had been submitted for the shipment. Upon physical inspection of the cargo, CBP officers found a total of 5,656 name-brand designer bags bearing the names of Chanel, Coach and Louis Vuitton as well as 4,624 pairs of Nike “Air Max” sneakers. After determining the items violated trademark laws, the shipment was seized December 30.

“CBP plays a vital role in the protection of the American consumer and businesses in the United States,” said John Porter, area port director in Savannah. “Violations such as these are very serious in nature. This seizure illustrates the hard work CBP performs daily in combating the illegitimate trade in counterfeit goods.”

To address the ongoing threat to domestic industries and the need to identify and interdict counterfeited goods, CBP works closely with private industry, U.S. government agencies and foreign governments to stem the flow of illegal goods to protect consumers and the economy.