CrimeDec 21, 2020
Customs Seizes Nearly $10M in Counterfeit Jewelry, WatchesCrimeMay 12, 2021
Customs Seizes $866K in Counterfeit Jewelry
It’s the latest of several recent seizures by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in Cincinnati.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in Cincinnati seized Cartier, Van Cleef and Arpels, and Louis Vuitton fakes, one of several shipments of counterfeit jewelry and watches this year.
Cincinnati—U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in Cincinnati seized a six-figure shipment of counterfeit jewelry, the latest in a string of counterfeit shipments funneling through the city.
The package came from Guangzhou, China, and was on its way to a private residence in Akron, Ohio.
Though it had a declared value of $80, officers uncovered 383 items of jewelry claiming to be from luxury brands like Cartier, Van Cleef and Arpels, and Louis Vuitton.
If the jewelry had been authentic, it would have been worth $866,120.
As online shopping continues to flourish, so have counterfeiters.
“It’s extremely important that as our trade avenues expand, our focus on enforcing intellectual property rights violations expands with it,” said Cincinnati Port Director Richard Gillespie in a press release about the seizures.
“Our officers are working hard day and night to guard our frontline against defrauders expecting to make money selling fake merchandise.”
This seizure is the latest of several counterfeit jewelry shipments seized by Cincinnati officers in recent months.
Related stories will be right here …
The package came from Guangzhou, China, and was on its way to a private residence in Akron, Ohio.
Though it had a declared value of $80, officers uncovered 383 items of jewelry claiming to be from luxury brands like Cartier, Van Cleef and Arpels, and Louis Vuitton.
If the jewelry had been authentic, it would have been worth $866,120.
As online shopping continues to flourish, so have counterfeiters.
“It’s extremely important that as our trade avenues expand, our focus on enforcing intellectual property rights violations expands with it,” said Cincinnati Port Director Richard Gillespie in a press release about the seizures.
“Our officers are working hard day and night to guard our frontline against defrauders expecting to make money selling fake merchandise.”
This seizure is the latest of several counterfeit jewelry shipments seized by Cincinnati officers in recent months.
On April 26, officers uncovered 9,377 pieces of counterfeit jewelry said to be from brands like Tiffany & Co., Pandora, Cartier, and Bulgari. They would be worth more than $4.2 million if authentic.
On April 7, Cincinnati officers uncovered 242 fake Cartier Love bracelets in a shipment originating from China, with an estimated worth of $3.6 million, had they been authentic.
On April 7, Cincinnati officers uncovered 242 fake Cartier Love bracelets in a shipment originating from China, with an estimated worth of $3.6 million, had they been authentic.
Two shipments originating from China were then seized on March 4, containing 734 counterfeit jewelry pieces, worth $3.2 million when genuine.
On Feb. 10-11, officers stopped two shipments of counterfeit jewelry and watches, said to be from luxe brands like Hermès, Chanel, Rolex and Panerai. The authentic worth totaled nearly $3 million.
And in late January, officials found 85 counterfeit Rolex watches. If authentic, the value would total more than $5.8 million.
Watches and jewelry represent 15 percent of all intellectual property rights (IPR) seizures, according to Customs and Border Protection, topping the list of all items seized due to IPR infringement.
A CBP spokesperson told National Jeweler that despite the multiple incidents, there has been no year-over-year increase in counterfeit jewelry seizures by Cincinnati officers, adding these seizures are “fairly routine.”
CBP has an educational initiative available online to educate consumers about the dangers surrounding counterfeit goods.
More on Crime
The Latest
GradingMar 06, 2026
Tom Moses Leaving GIA After Nearly 50 YearsMoses, who started at GIA’s Santa Monica lab in 1976, will leave the Gemological Institute of America in May.
Lab-GrownMar 06, 2026
Charles & Colvard Files for Bankruptcy, Citing Price PressuresIncreased competition, falling lab-grown diamond and moissanite prices, and the rising cost of gold took a toll on the moissanite maker.
CollectionsMar 06, 2026
Zome’s ‘Solara’ Earrings Embody Celestial BeautyThe earrings, our Piece of the Week, feature pink tourmalines as planets orbiting around an aquamarine center set in 18-karat rose gold.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
MajorsMar 06, 2026
Pomellato’s 2026 IWD Campaign Spotlights Economic Abuse“The Price of Freedom” campaign video for International Women’s Day confronts the quiet violence of financial control.
Weekly QuizMar 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Policies & IssuesMar 05, 2026
Tariffs to Increase to 15% This Week, Treasury Secretary Says Also, a federal judge has ordered that companies that paid tariffs implemented under the IEEPA are entitled to refunds.
CollectionsMar 05, 2026
Common Era Honors ‘Difficult Women’ in CollectionThe ever-growing collection, which just expanded with the addition of Olga of Kyiv, features cameos of 12 women from history.
Brought to you by
DCA Enters a New Chapter in Jewelry EducationWith refreshed branding, a new website, updated courses, and a pathway for growth, DCA is dedicated to supporting retail staff development.
TrendsMar 05, 2026
Engagement Ring Trends 2026: What’s In, and WhyWe asked a jewelry historian, designer, bridal director, and wedding expert what’s trending in engagement rings. Here’s what they said.
Events & AwardsMar 05, 2026
AGS Announces Conclave 2026 Speaker LineupThe annual event will be held in Orlando, Florida, from Sept. 14-17.
TrendsMar 05, 2026
Caitríona Balfe Fronts Only Natural Diamonds CoverThe “Outlander” star modeled for the digital cover of the magazine’s spring issue, which features a story on her relationship with jewelry.
MajorsMar 05, 2026
Registration Opens for CIBJO Centenary CongressThis year’s annual congress, which will mark the confederation’s 100th anniversary, will take place this fall in Italy.
MajorsMar 04, 2026
Michael M Opens First StoreBeverly Hills was chosen as the location for the brand’s first store, designed as a “private residence for modern monarchs.”
Policies & IssuesMar 04, 2026
Luxury Brands Temporarily Shutter Middle East StoresKering, Apple, and other retailers have reportedly temporarily closed stores in the Middle East region in light of the recent conflicts.
EditorsMar 04, 2026
Q&A: Brilliant Earth’s CEO on the New Beverly Hills StoreBeth Gerstein discusses the vibe of the new store, what customers want when fine jewelry shopping today, and the details of “Date Night.”
Events & AwardsMar 04, 2026
JIS Miami Spring Show to Feature New Gifts Pavilion, Pop-Up Trends TalksNearly half of buyers are prioritizing silver and fashion collections this season, organizers said.
TrendsMar 04, 2026
Spinelli Kilcollin Rides Free In Year of the Horse CampaignThe “Live Now. Polish Later.” campaign features equestrians wearing the brand’s jewels while galloping across the icy plains of Kazakhstan.
MajorsMar 04, 2026
LeachGarner Names New Brand DirectorThe precious metals provider has promoted Jennifer Ashworth to the role.
Events & AwardsMar 03, 2026
Johnny Nelson Wins David Yurman Gem Awards GrantNelson will be honored as the inaugural grant winner at the Gem Awards gala on March 13.
SourcingMar 03, 2026
7 Trends That Could Define the Diamond Industry’s FutureExperts from India weigh in the politics, policies, and market dynamics for diamantaires to monitor in 2026 and beyond.
MajorsMar 03, 2026
Swiss Refiner Completes Acquisition of Gannon & ScottThe American precious metals refiner’s day-to-day operations remain the same post-acquisition.
TrendsMar 03, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: AquatopiaThese aquamarine jewels channel the calming energy of the March birthstone.
Events & AwardsMar 03, 2026
AGTA Adds Another New Category for SpectrumThe “Innovative Design” category and award will debut in the Spectrum division of this year’s AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards.
EditorsMar 02, 2026
Jewelry at the Actor Awards: Reimagining Hollywood GlamourDiamond jewelry was the star of the event formerly known as the SAG Awards.
SurveysMar 02, 2026
Consumer Confidence Edges Up in FebruaryConsumers were somewhat less worried about the future, though concerns about rising prices and politics remained.
Events & AwardsMar 02, 2026
JVC to Honor Rebecca Foerster at Annual LuncheonFoerster is this year’s Stanley Schechter Award recipient.
Events & AwardsMar 02, 2026
JFC Names 2026 ‘Facets’ Honorees Sponsorships and tickets to the annual fundraising event, set for May 31, are available now.
