Washington — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers seized a shipment of 70,000 counterfeit consumer products July 22 at the port of Newark, N.J. Working closely with the Consumer Product Safety Commission, CBP officers intercepted an estimated $3.9 million worth of the illicit products, including razor blades, toys, sunglasses, markers and batteries, for violating intellectual property laws.

The shipment, which arrived from China, was targeted using CPSC-defined health and safety rules through the Commercial Targeting and Analysis Center in Washington, D.C. In conjunction with CPSC, CTAC identified the cargo for physical examination upon arrival in Newark.

Once identified at the port, CBP personnel examined the shipment, discovered intellectual property violations and seized the goods.

“The partnership between CBP, CPSC and other agencies at the CTAC enables greater sharing of information and targeting to ensure the safety of imported products,” said CBP Assistant Commissioner Allen Gina. “Interagency collaboration at the CTAC, combined with the vigilance of CBP officers at the ports truly exemplifies one U.S. Government working together at the border to protect American consumers.”

Counterfeit goods threaten American innovation, the competitiveness of its businesses, the livelihood of its workers and the health and safety of consumers who purchase inferior products that do not meet federal safety standards. CBP protects businesses and consumers from these risks every day through aggressive targeting and enforcement programs.

In fiscal year 2012, CBP and its investigative partner U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement seized 22,848 shipments for intellectual property rights violations, for a total retail value of $1.26 billion. ( IPR Seizure Statistics: FY 2012 (pdf - 1,629 KB.) )

CTAC is a fusion center that combines resources, personnel and expertise from various federal agencies to protect the American public from harm caused by unsafe imported products. The center accomplishes this through better communication, information-sharing and by reducing redundant inspection activities. For additional information on CTAC, please visit CBP.gov/CTAC. ( CTAC )


U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.