Feds warn about online sale of pirated products

During the holiday season, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) operations in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands reiterated today, Tuesday, their alert to consumers about counterfeit and pirated products purchased online.

“Brand name products that are unbelievably cheap online may not be a bargain,” said Leida Colón, deputy director of Field Operations in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands see written communication.

“If the price of the product seems too good to be true, it probably isn't; and that can cause real problems for you, your family and legitimate businesses,” he added.

He explained that in the midst of the pandemic, a recent fiscal year comparison reveals that CBP officers and import specialists have witnessed statistically significant increases in product seizures (IPRs).

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Feds warn about online sale of products pirated

The San Juan Office of Field Operations, which is responsible for multiple ports of entry in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, experienced a 175 percent growth in the number of IPR seizures in fiscal year 2021 through the date compared to the same period in fiscal year 2020.

There are several steps consumers can take to protect themselves when shopping online. It is recommended to only purchase products from reputable retailers and be careful with third-party vendors. Check the reviews and comments that are made of the seller and verify that there is a working phone number and address for the merchant, in case you have questions about the legitimacy of a product.

“Bad actors continue to exploit the dramatic growth of e-commerce to sell counterfeit and other illicit products through online platforms, particularly during the holiday season when shoppers are looking for deals,” said Mayra Claudio, Deputy Director of the Port of San Juan area. "If the price of the product sounds too good to be true, it probably is, and that can cause real problems for you, your family, and legitimate businesses."

Nationwide, for fiscal year 2020, CBP seized 26,503 shipments containing goods that violated intellectual property rights. The total estimated value of the seized assets, had they been genuine, was nearly $1.3 billion.

CBP's Office of Field Operations in San Juan seized 2,443 shipments containing intellectual property infringing goods with an estimated MSRP of $46 million.

To address such violations, the San Juan Commerce Law Enforcement Team was created in October 2016. Since its creation, the team has seized a total of 1,064,098 items with an estimated value of $163,477,809 Dollars. The top items seized in fiscal year 2020 are in order:

  1. Purses / wallets
  2. Jewelry
  3. Shoes
  4. Electronics
  5. Alcoholic beverages
  6. Watches
  7. Clothing
  8. Other Counterfeit Goods
  9. Cigarettes
  10. Prescription Drugs

CBP has also established an educational initiative to make consumers aware of the consequences and dangers associated with purchasing counterfeit and pirated products online or in stores. More information about that initiative is available on the following page www.cbp.gov/fakegoodsrealdangers

If you have information about suspected fraud or illegal trade activity, please report the trade violation to the Allegations Online Trade Violation Reporting System or call 1-800-BE -ALERT. Violations of intellectual property rights can also be reported to the National Intellectual Property Rights Clearinghouse at https://www.iprcenter.gov/referral/ or by phone at 1-866-IPR-2060.

For more information you can also visit the following link https://www.stopfakes.gov/.