CBP Seizes $28 Million Worth of Counterfeit Cartier Watches at Chicago O’Hare

On September 18, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at Chicago O’Hare International Airport’s Anti-Terrorism Contraband Enforcement Team seized two shipments containing a total of 200 counterfeit Cartier watches. The parcels, originating from Hong Kong and destined for California, were pulled for inspection by CBP officers.

Upon examination, the watches were found to bear suspected counterfeit versions of the Cartier trademark. CBP’s Centers of Excellence and Expertise, which specialize in trade enforcement, determined the items to be inauthentic. Consequently, the counterfeit watches were seized for infringing on registered and recorded trademarks.

Michael Pfeiffer, Acting Director of Field Operations for CBP’s Chicago Field Office, emphasized the broader implications of such seizures. He stated, “Counterfeit and pirated products threaten our economic security by hurting legitimate businesses who invest significantly in resources to protect their brands. Additionally, these products often pose serious health and safety hazards to the people who buy and use them.”

Counterfeit goods represent one of the most profitable forms of transnational crime. These illicit products frequently mimic popular brands and are sold through online platforms and informal markets. The range of counterfeit items includes fake medications, perfumes, cosmetics, children’s toys and costumes, fashion apparel, jewelry, luxury goods, and unsafe electronics and automotive parts. Many of these products are manufactured with substandard or harmful materials, posing significant risks to consumers.

CBP data highlights that handbags, wallets, apparel, footwear, watches, jewelry, and consumer electronics are particularly vulnerable to counterfeiting. These counterfeit goods are often produced in unregulated environments abroad, with profits frequently funding organized crime networks.

Consumers can often identify counterfeit products by their inferior quality. Signs include peeling labels, poor-quality ink or printing errors on packaging, and substandard packaging materials. Counterfeit apparel and handbags may exhibit uneven stitching, improper sizing, or may not correspond to any genuine product from the designer brand. Counterfeit electronics commonly suffer from short battery life and overheating issues.

CBP actively enforces intellectual property rights to protect American businesses from unfair competition and malicious use of their brands. The agency’s Intellectual Property Rights enforcement program safeguards innovation and creativity while combating counterfeit trade.

The agency also runs the Truth Behind Counterfeits public awareness campaign, which educates consumers about the dangers of counterfeit goods and CBP’s efforts to combat them.

To protect themselves, consumers are advised to verify seller reviews, confirm the presence of a valid U.S. phone number and address when shopping online, and remain skeptical of prices that appear too good to be true.

Suspected counterfeit goods can be reported to CBP via the online e-Allegations portal or by calling 1-800-BE-ALERT.

Under the leadership of President Donald J. Trump and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, CBP continues to enforce laws that stop illegal activity while facilitating lawful trade and travel into and out of the United States.

CBP is the nation’s largest law enforcement agency and the world’s first unified border management agency, employing over 70,000 personnel who protect America on land, air, and sea. The agency’s mission includes enforcing safe and lawful commerce to ensure the country’s economic prosperity through innovation, intelligence, collaboration, and trust.