C.B.P. News Release

CBP in Charleston Intercepts Counterfeit Clothing Shipments

(Friday, July 10, 2009)

Charleston, S.C. — U.S. Customs and Border Protection at the Port of Charleston seized more than 800 pieces of counterfeit designer shorts and jeans in two separate seizures, officials announced today.

CBP officers discovered the shipments of counterfeit merchandise in two containers that were selected for examination. A total of 187 shorts bearing the Izod logo accounted for the first seizure. The second seizure consisted of 475 denim jeans bearing the Old Navy logo, and 185 shorts and jeans bearing the Gap logo. Combined, the shipments had a total domestic value of $165,000 and a manufacturers suggested retail price of $727,208.

CBP has designated intellectual property rights enforcement as a Priority Trade Issue and devotes considerable resources and diverse personnel to the enforcement of IPR. CBP has targeted and seized an increasing number of counterfeit products that pose safety threats to American consumers, to our infrastructure, and potentially to our security. “CBP is a key stakeholder in combating illegitimate trade and seizing counterfeit goods at our borders,â€