7,300 Pairs of Counterfeit Van Cleef & Arpels Earrings Seized in Kentucky

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in Louisville, KY, seized a shipment on Aug. 6 containing more than 7,000 pairs of counterfeit earrings.

The shipment was arriving from Hong Kong and was heading to a residence in Miami. Officers inspected the shipment, which was manifested as a “metal necklace” and weighed 56 pounds, discovering 7.319 pairs of earrings bearing the iconic Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra design, which is a federally protected trademark.

CBP trade experts determined the goods to be fake. Had they been genuine, the shipment would have had a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of over $30 million.

“Legitimate trade powers the U.S. economy, but counterfeit and pirated goods dampen our economic successes, fund criminal networks, and threaten consumer trust and safety,” said LaFonda D. Sutton-Burke, director of field operations for the Chicago field office. “As consumers increasingly purchase from online or third-party vendors, our officers are at the frontline to guard against defrauders expecting to make money selling fake merchandise.”

For the last three years, the top commodities seized for intellectual property rights infringement with the highest total MSRP have been, according to CBP:

1. Jewelry
2. Watches
3. Handbags/wallets

China and Hong Kong are consistently the top two source countries for intellectual property rights seizures. In fiscal 2024, seizures from China and Hong Kong accounted for about 90% of the total quantity seized.