Fake goods can lead to real dangers, and unfortunately, the dangers of buying counterfeit products aren't always obvious. When shopping, it is important to recognize the impacts and implications of purchasing goods that violate Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) as it relates to:
CBP monitors and regulates goods entering the United States. Consumers also play a paramount role in keeping the U.S. and its citizens safe from the negative effects of purchasing counterfeit goods. Consumers should be vigilant to ensure they are purchasing authentic goods from a trusted retailer or vendor.
Economic Impacts
You work hard for your money! Buy authentic products from trusted sellers. Guarantee that you are getting what you paid for by shopping from reputable sources. Each time a counterfeit good is purchased, a legitimate company loses revenue. This translates to lost profits and the loss of U.S. jobs over time. CBP targets and seizes imports of IPR violative goods. Counterfeits are a global problem with nearly 66% of all CBP IPR seizures coming from China in Fiscal Year (FY) 2023.
Health and Safety
Many counterfeit products are made with substandard materials or components and can be hazardous to your health. This includes:
- Consumer products like toothpaste, shampoo, makeup, or perfume.
- Counterfeit pharmaceuticals that are missing necessary active ingredients or those that contain fentanyl/other opioids.
- Counterfeit automotive parts like airbags and brake pads that result in catastrophic consequences for the driver and other motorists.
CBP seizes various counterfeit products at U.S. borders to protect the livelihood of American citizens. In FY 2023, counterfeit pharmaceuticals covered nearly half the total number of health and safety products seized.
Protect yourself and your family by avoiding these and other risky items. For more information on how these items effect consumers watch this video and remember when shopping online to “Go for Real”.
Legal Implications
Purchasing counterfeit goods is illegal and transporting those goods into the U.S. may result in civil or criminal penalties. CBP is responsible for seizing imported goods that violate U.S. laws. As a result, each year CBP seizes numerous imported goods to ensure the only goods entering the U.S. marketplace are genuine, safe, and lawfully sourced.
E-Commerce
Be sure to shop from reputable online sources. E-Commerce sales have contributed to large volumes of low-value, small packages being imported into the U.S. Over 90% of all counterfeit seizures occur in the international mail and express environments, which are channels that small, e-commerce packages destined for the U.S. travel through. Many of these shipments contain counterfeit goods that pose the same health, safety, and economic security risks as large, containerized shipments.
To learn more about CBP’s E-Commerce strategy, visit CBP’s E-Commerce website.
Sustainability
CBP is leading the way to a more sustainable future by combating the negative impacts of climate change and its environmental consequences through the Green Trade Strategy. It is imperative that U.S. consumers do their part to combat negative environmental impacts by purchasing genuine goods in lieu of counterfeit goods. Counterfeit goods are made with substandard materials that tend to have short lifespans. These products often end up in landfills and generate massive amounts of waste. These illegitimate goods are also often made with toxic chemicals that leach into the environment causing environmental pollution.
