Philadelphia CBP Intercepts 100 Counterfeit Yeti-Branded Mugs from Hong Kong Shipment

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Philadelphia port recently seized 100 counterfeit mugs falsely branded with the popular Yeti trademark. The shipment, declared as “fishing reel iron products,” arrived from Hong Kong, China on April 4 and was addressed to an individual consignee in Philadelphia.

CBP officers detained the parcel due to its poor packaging and substandard quality, which prompted further investigation. Working in coordination with CBP’s Consumer Products and Mass Merchandising Centers for Excellence and Expertise, trade experts confirmed the mugs were counterfeit through verification with the trademark holder.

This seizure reflects CBP’s ongoing priority to prevent the importation of counterfeit merchandise, which poses risks including revenue loss, economic harm, and potential threats to consumer health and safety. Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) enforcement remains a designated Priority Trade Issue for the agency.

Joseph Martella, CBP Port Director for the Area Port of Philadelphia, emphasized the agency’s dedication to consumer safety and trademark protection, stating, “Our officers will continue to work closely with our trade and consumer safety partners to identify and seize counterfeit merchandise, especially those products that pose potential harm to American consumers.”

The Yeti mug seizure marks the fifth major counterfeit interception by Philadelphia CBP within the last three months. Earlier seizures include $1.4 million worth of counterfeit designer jewelry on March 6, followed by two additional seizures totaling $3 million in counterfeit jewelry on March 20 and April 3. Additionally, approximately $233,000 in counterfeit luxury watches were seized on February 27. All these shipments originated from Hong Kong and were destined for Philadelphia addresses.

Casey Durst, CBP Director of Field Operations in Baltimore, highlighted the expertise and commitment of CBP officers and import specialists, noting, “The seizure of counterfeit items reflects the commitment and expertise of CBP officers and import specialists, and their dedication to preventing unlawful and potentially dangerous imports into the United States.” He added that CBP will maintain vigilance and enhance detection capabilities to secure the homeland and protect the economy.

CBP’s aggressive IPR enforcement program protects businesses and consumers daily. In 2017, CBP officers seized an average of $3.3 million worth of products with IPR violations each day. The number of IPR seizures increased by 8 percent from 31,560 in fiscal year 2016 to 34,143 in fiscal year 2017, although the total estimated manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of seized goods decreased from $1.38 billion to $1.2 billion.

Enforcement efforts by CBP and ICE Homeland Security Investigations in 2017 led to 457 arrests, 288 indictments, and 242 convictions related to intellectual property crimes.

CBP encourages the public to report information about counterfeit merchandise illegally imported into the United States through its anonymous e-Allegations Online Trade Violation Reporting System.

Beyond counterfeit goods, CBP officers screen nearly a million travelers daily at U.S. ports of entry, using various techniques to intercept narcotics, unreported currency, weapons, prohibited agriculture, and other illicit products, thereby ensuring safe and secure global tourism.

The Office of Field Operations leads CBP’s border security mission at ports of entry. More information about CBP’s efforts to secure the nation’s borders is available through CBP Ports of Entry resources.