CBP, HSI Cautions on the Real Dangers of Counterfeit and Prohibited Goods Ahead of Holidays in Puerto Rico

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — On Nov. 21, in advance of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection cautioned the public about the real dangers of purchasing goods that may be counterfeit, restricted or prohibited.

The joint engagement with local media was designed to make the public aware of how these products are part of a larger transnational criminal enterprise.

“The dangers of buying counterfeit products aren’t always obvious. There are economic impacts, legal implications, and health and safety risks that are important for you to know before you buy,” said Assistant Director of Field Operations for Trade at the San Juan field office Efrain Rivas. “Particularly when shopping online, beware of counterfeit goods. Fake goods can lead to real dangers.”

Many consumers are unaware of all the negative consequences of purchasing counterfeit items. For example, consumers sometimes purchase discount prescription medications from other countries that are inferior products with unregulated ingredients. It’s a dangerous game that could have deadly results.

“We encourage consumers to take a stand to let criminals know that they won’t be tricked into making counterfeit purchases,” said HSI San Juan Special Agent in Charge Rebecca Gonzalez-Ramos. “HSI’s IPR Center is committed to investigating and arresting those who prey on innocent consumers and taking action to stop the sale of counterfeit goods on the internet and in stores. We will continue our enforcement efforts over the holiday season to catch counterfeiters and to protect the health and safety of holiday shoppers.”

The top three product categories affecting consumer health and safety are personal care, pharmaceuticals and consumer electronics. The majority of counterfeit items come from China and Hong Kong.

Nationwide, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and HSI seized 20,812 shipments containing goods that violated intellectual property rights in fiscal year 2022, which equates to nearly 25 million counterfeit goods. The total estimated manufacturer’s suggested retail price of the seized goods, had they been genuine, was over $2.98 billion. In fiscal year 2022, HSI arrested 255 people, obtained 192 indictments and received 95 convictions related to intellectual property crimes. During the same time, CBP’s San Juan field office made 1,377 seizures with a combined manufacturer’s suggested retail price value of more than $36 million, while in fiscal year 2023, it executed 1,313 seizures with a combined value of nearly $21 million.

The Global Trade Investigations group recently seized approximately 479 counterfeit sports uniforms at a Guaynabo residence. CBP had seized previous shipments of sports uniforms for intellectual property rights violations; these uniforms bore famous and protected trademarks. The seizures are part of the San Juan Trade Enforcement Coordination Center’s investigative efforts. The San Juan Trade Enforcement Coordination Center comprises specialized HSI and CBP personnel who identify and seize illegal and fraudulent shipped goods destined for U.S. commerce, in addition to disrupting and dismantling criminal organizations that exploit international trade for illegal purposes and unfair trade practices.

You may report intellectual property rights violations to the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center at https://www.iprcenter.gov/referral/ or 866-IPR-2060. 

For more information about protecting yourself from counterfeit and pirated goods, visit https://www.stopfakes.gov/.

Source: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE.gov)