The Federal Trade Commission on November 20, 2024, began sending refunds to consumers who bought accessories falsely marketed as “Made in USA” or “Hand Crafted in USA” by Chaucer Accessories and Bates Accessories.
The refunds
- The FTC sent $143,064.55 to 4,061 eligible consumers, according to its 2024 annual report on refunds.
- Payments went out by check and PayPal. Checks had to be cashed within 90 days and PayPal payments redeemed within 30 days, PYMNTS reported.
The case
The FTC announced the case in June 2023 against Chaucer Accessories, Bates Accessories, Bates Retail Group and owner Thomas Bates, companies based in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. The complaint said they advertised products as “Made in USA” or “Hand Crafted in USA” even though some were wholly imported or contained significant imported components. Belts labeled “Made in USA from Global Materials” were imported Taiwanese straps with buckles attached in the USA, the FTC said.
The consent order bars unqualified USA-origin claims unless the products meet the “all or virtually all” standard. It requires qualified claims to disclose foreign content clearly, sets rules for “assembled in USA” claims, and imposed a $191,481 monetary judgment.
“‘Made in USA’ means what it says.”
Samuel Levine, Director, FTC Bureau of Consumer Protection, June 2023
Why it matters for Made in USA
The case shows that a qualified claim is not a free pass. “Made in USA from Global Materials” still implied the product was substantially made in the USA when the key component, the strap, was imported. The FTC requires qualifiers to be clear about how much of a product is foreign.
The refunds were widely reported again in August 2025, but the payments themselves went out in November 2024.
FAQ
How much did the FTC refund?
$143,064.55 to 4,061 consumers, according to the FTC’s 2024 refunds report.
What products were involved?
Clothing accessories, including belts, sold by Chaucer Accessories, Bates Accessories and Bates Retail Group.
What was wrong with “Made in USA from Global Materials”?
The FTC said those belts used straps imported from Taiwan, with only the buckles attached in the USA.
Source & credit
Source: Federal Trade Commission, 2024 Annual Report on Refunds to Consumers, and FTC release, June 27, 2023, via CCH. Refund details reported by PYMNTS. Alert item: MSN.