CBP Seizes $54M in Fake Watches at Louisville Port
A package from Hong Kong looked ordinary enough — until CBP officers in Louisville opened it and found 375 fake luxury watches worth more than $54 million on paper. The shipment was headed straight to a home in New York. This case is a reminder of how counterfeit goods move quietly through the mail system — and what happens when they get caught.
375 Fake Luxury Watches Stopped Before Reaching New York
On June 18, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Port of Louisville stopped a shipment from Hong Kong that was heading to a home in New York. Inside, they found 375 watches made to look like Audemars Piguet — a high-end Swiss brand. If the watches had been real, they would have been worth more than $54 million combined.
CBP's trade experts, known as the Centers of Excellence and Expertise, confirmed the watches were fake. Officers seized the entire shipment because the items carried counterfeit versions of registered trademarks — meaning someone copied a protected brand logo without permission. Louisville's Port Director, Philip Onken, said: "Intellectual property theft threatens America's economic vitality and funds criminal activities and organized crime."
Immigration Deadlines 2026 — Free
Download PDF with all key dates
Why Counterfeit Goods Are a Bigger Problem Than You Think
Fake goods are not just about luxury items. CBP warns that counterfeit products — including fake medications, children's toys, electronics, and car parts — can be dangerous. They are often made with low-quality or harmful materials. More than 90% of all counterfeit seizures happen through international mail and small package delivery services — the same channels used by everyday online shoppers. Criminals take advantage of the high volume of small packages entering the U.S. to hide fake goods inside.
CBP runs an active Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) enforcement program to protect American businesses from unfair competition. The agency also encourages consumers to report suspected trade violations through its Trade Violations Reporting website. Shoppers are reminded to buy only from trusted online sellers to avoid accidentally purchasing counterfeit items.
What to Do
- If you ordered something online from an overseas seller and your package was seized by CBP, you may receive a notice. Do not ignore it — you have the right to respond.
- If you are a business owner and believe your trademarked products are being copied and imported, you can report it through CBP's Trade Violations Reporting site.
- Always buy from verified retailers, especially for luxury goods, electronics, and health products. If the price seems too good to be true, the item may be fake.
- If your shipment is seized and you believe it was a mistake, lawyers recommend contacting a customs attorney quickly — delays can make it harder to recover your goods or contest the seizure.
Fishkin Law Firm, New York
If your shipment is seized by CBP for suspected trademark violations, you typically have a limited window — often 30 days from the seizure notice — to file a petition for relief or an offer in compromise. Even if you did not know the goods were counterfeit, ignorance is generally not a complete defense, but it can affect the outcome. Consult a licensed customs attorney before responding to any seizure notice to protect your rights.