U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the International and Bulk Mail Center in Jersey City, New Jersey, seized more than 185 counterfeit guitars with an estimated retail value of more than $1 million. The first guitars they found carried a “Made in USA” marking.
What officers found
- While examining oversize parcels, officers found five guitars bearing Gibson, Les Paul, Paul Reed Smith and Martin trademarks along with the marking “Made in USA.”
- They suspected the guitars were fake because of the parcels’ country of origin, the poor craftsmanship and the packaging.
- CBP then identified more than 180 more counterfeit guitars bearing Epiphone, Fender, Taylor and Ernie Ball trademarks, all shipped through the same facility.
- Business cards in the packages pointed to a single website, which offered the guitars from China for about $200 to $500. Authentic models carry suggested retail prices of $2,000 to $54,000.
The guitars were seized and are scheduled for destruction. “Counterfeit goods pose a serious threat to the consumer and economic loss to American business,” said Robert E. Perez, director of CBP’s New York Field Operations. NJ.com reported that CBP did not say when the guitars were seized, and it was not clear whether anyone had been charged.
Source & credit
Source: U.S. Customs and Border Protection: “CBP Intercepts Over $1 Million in Counterfeit Guitars”.
Additional sources: NJ.com: “185 counterfeit guitars valued at $1 million seized at Jersey City bulk mail center: feds”, April 30, 2014; CBS New York: “Officials: More Than $1 Million In Fake Guitars Found At Jersey City Mail Center”, April 30, 2014.