Los Angeles CBP Seizes $7 Million Worth of DVDs with Counterfeit Trademarks

January 15, 2010 - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials seized 252,968 DVDs with counterfeit trademarks. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price of the shipment was estimated to be more than $7.1 million and the domestic value was $204,904. On January 7, CBP officials from Los Angeles/Long Beach seaport complex seized a shipment which arrived on a sea container from South Korea. The shipment consisted of movies and music DVDs destined to an importer in the Los Angeles County. When CBP officials inspected the shipment, they discovered counterfeit “DVD,” “Dolby,” and “DTS” trademark designs on the packaging. The shipment was seized for illegal importation of merchandise bearing counterfeit trademarks.

CBP has a multi-layered enforcement approach to prevent the flow of fake goods. This multi-layered includes seizing the counterfeit items at the ports of entry, conducting audits of infringing importers, collaborating with international organizations and foreign governments, partnering with industry and other government agencies to enhance these efforts.

In fiscal year 2009, CBP and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement seized more than $260.6 million worth of counterfeit items nationwide. Media items were among the top 10 commodities seized with a total domestic value of $11 million, which accounted for 4 percent of the entire value of goods seized.