CBP officers in Norfolk seize counterfeit-marked ceramic sinks and fraudulently imported radiators from China

CBP officers in Norfolk, Virginia seized 2,772 ceramic sinks bearing a counterfeit UPC certification mark and 543 automotive radiators imported using a victim's stolen identity, both shipments originating from China and seized on Oct. 6. The sinks, destined for Irvine, Calif., were appraised at $462,501 manufacturer's suggested retail price if authentic; the radiators, destined for Los Angeles, were appraised at $120,296. CBP states the sinks' UPC shield and design mark were verified as used without authorization, and that stolen identities and shell companies are used to evade tariffs or smuggle contraband.

Norfolk CBP officers seize three shipments of automotive radiators imported using stolen identities

Norfolk CBP officers seize nearly $300k in automotive radiators and dehumidifiers imported through identity fraud

Baltimore CBP officers seize $142,372 in plywood from China imported with a stolen identity

CBP officers in Baltimore seized over 8,500 falcata plywood sheets from China on Aug. 27, valued at $142,372, after the importer of record used a fraudulent identity on import documentation, tampered with the shipping invoice and declared the goods as Indonesian-origin and worth nearly $19,000. CBP determined the plywood originated in China and was subject to antidumping and countervailing duties, and seized it as smuggled or clandestinely introduced merchandise under 19 USC 1595a(c)(1)(A). The investigation continues.

CBP Chicago seizes over 13,000 prohibited agriculture items from China shipment

CBP's Port of Chicago Agriculture Cargo Unit seized 13,683 pieces of prohibited plant and animal products from a shipment that originated in China and was manifested as women's nylon shirts. The shipment, weighing over 1,700 pounds in 68 prelabeled boxes, contained live cacti, succulents, pork, plant cuttings and 31 pounds of peyote, and lacked proper documentation, permits and phytosanitary certifications. CBP describes it as a "master carton" smuggling scheme in which unmanifested individual shipments are prelabeled for domestic parcel delivery.

CBP seizes 300 counterfeit Audemars Piguet watches in Louisville

CBP states that on July 31 its officers at the Port of Louisville, Kentucky intercepted a shipment from Hong Kong containing 300 Audemars Piguet watches, which CBP's Centers of Excellence and Expertise deemed inauthentic; the watches were seized for bearing counterfeit versions of registered and recorded trademarks. CBP says the shipment was headed for a residence in Houston and would have had a combined manufacturer's suggested retail price of over $43 million had the watches been genuine.

CBP seizes nearly $4 million in counterfeit MLB, Nike, Louis Vuitton and Jaguar goods at Houston airport

CBP states that officers from the George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) Trade Enforcement Team seized nearly $4 million in counterfeit goods, including fake MLB and Nike apparel, Louis Vuitton bags, Cartier sunglasses and Jaguar Land Rover computer systems, with a Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price of $3.7 million. Most shipments originated from China and were destined for locations both within and outside the United States. CBP's Centers of Excellence and Expertise deemed the items inauthentic, and they were seized for bearing counterfeit versions of registered and recorded trademarks.

CBP collects $1 billion in duties since de minimis phaseout

CBP states it collected over $1 billion in duties on more than 246 million low-cost shipments since the de minimis phaseout began in May 2025. Low-value shipments from China and Hong Kong lost duty-free eligibility on May 2, 2025, and CBP fully implemented the change worldwide on August 29, 2025 with the elimination of the de minimis exemption. CBP also reports that seizures of unsafe and non-compliant low-value goods rose 82% since de minimis ended for China and Hong Kong.