CBP Los Angeles Seizes $218,000 in Fake Trading Card Games

33,000 Counterfeit Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh and Zexal Card Games Seized

Los Angeles—U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers and import specialists at the Los Angeles/Long Beach seaport discovered and seized 33,000 trading cards game sets in violation of Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh and Zexal trademarks in a shipment arriving from China.

CBP officers discovered the infringing shipment with the cards which, if genuine, the manufacturer’s suggested retail price of the shipment would have been $218,000.

“This seizure is yet another example on how effective targeting and trademark expertise by CBP officers and import specialists prevent the introduction of counterfeit products into the U.S.,” said Todd C. Owen CBP Director of Field Operations in Los Angeles. “CBP maintains an aggressive posture against those attempting to circumvent trade law.” 

Counterfeit playing cards are sold over the internet, street markets and have been found even in legitimate retail stores. Most parents are unaware that they are buying an illegitimate product.

Theft of intellectual property is a serious crime and CBP remains vigilant in its commitment to protect America by expanding its efforts to seize infringing goods. Counterfeit and pirated goods pose a serious threat to America’s economic vitality, the health and safety of American consumers and our critical infrastructure and national security.

Nationwide, the total number of intellectual property rights seizures in fiscal year 2011 increased by 24% compared to fiscal year 2010, which is a 325% increase over the past decade.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.