Counterfeit goods seizures skyrocket in Puerto Rico

U.S. Customs and Border Protection said the number of counterfeit merchandise seizures in Puerto Rico for the first two quarters of federal fiscal year 2017 increased by over 300 percent year-over-year.    The number of counterfeit merchandise seizures in Puerto Rico has increased by over 300 percent year-over-year during the first two quarters of federal fiscal year 2017, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said.
   The seized merchandise, imported into Puerto Rico via international mail or courier, would have had a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of around $20 million if real.
   With a high demand for well-known brands, many vendors sell counterfeit products over the internet, which has made it easy to find, purchase and ship items from almost anywhere in the world, CBP explained.
   A CBP spokesperson told American Shipper the majority of the shipments came from China, and were primarily high end, recognized brands, with products including jewelry, apparel, bags, shoes and clothes.
   In January, CBP seized 20 counterfeit luxury watches in Puerto Rico, with an estimated MSRP of $2.6 million if real. The watches were illegally imported into Puerto Rico from China.