U.S. Customs and Border Protecion Seize Counterfeit Merchandise

Every day, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), a bureau of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) seized shipments of cargo attempting to enter the United States at any of the 300 air, ocean, and land border ports.  Counterfeit merchandise is first detained, then seized, and a formal Seizure Notice issued to the importer and owner by CBP. The importer or owner has 30 days from receipt of the Seizure Notice to file its Petition with CBP to attempt to get the merchandise back.  Typically, only with the approval of the U.S. trademark owner, will counterfeit merchandise be released by CBP.  If the Petition is unsuccessful, the merchandise is forfeited and destroyed. CBP often issues a fine against the importer in the amount of the MSRP for the forfeited property.  Again, a Petition by a customs and international trade attorney can be filed and is usually successful at mitigating the fine.