This collaborative effort highlights the impacts that counterfeit goods have on the economy, as well as on consumer health and safety, and includes ten “Buy Smart” tips for back-to-school essentials.
As millions of American students return to the classroom, August is a busy time for parents and educators to stock up on everything they need for a successful school year. Unfortunately, it’s also a busy time for fraudsters looking to cash in by selling fake and potentially dangerous counterfeit goods to unsuspecting consumers. Since August 2022, CBP has made almost 17,000 seizures of counterfeit goods valued at approximately $2.4 billion, if the goods were genuine. Seizures of these fake goods included consumer electronics, shoes and clothing to name a few.
“CBP works closely with our industry partners to warn shoppers about the risks associated with purchasing counterfeit goods and how to be a conscious consumer,” said CBP Deputy Executive Commissioner for the Office of Commerce John Leonard. “While the lure of the lot is tempting, the consequences are simply not worth the risk. Only buy from sources you trust, especially when shopping online.”
Buying a substandard fake product can save money in the short term, but when it breaks quickly or becomes a safety risk, the costs to replace the product can increase significantly. Counterfeiters lure customers with persuasive advertising and low prices, but poor or potentially harmful products and materials are not worth the risk. Fake backpacks, pencils and electronic devices threaten student safety and cost parents more money over time.
Leaders throughout the business community understand the dangers of counterfeiting and are making big investments and taking bold actions to protect customers. For example, Nike Inc. donated proprietary technology to CBP through its Donation Acceptance Program to help authenticate a variety of its goods and prevent counterfeit products from entering the United States. However, businesses and BKP cannot do this alone. Counterfeit products cost the global economy over $500 billion a year. That’s why the Chamber of Commerce is partnering with CBP to raise awareness nationwide to educate Americans about the dangers of counterfeiting.
“Counterfeit goods are a danger to American families, especially children about to start another school year,” said Kasie Brill, Vice President of Brand Protection at the US Chamber of Commerce’s Global Innovation Policy Center. “The US Chamber encourages parents to use our ten Smart Buying Tips to protect their families from the dangers of counterfeit items.”
To get the word out, CBP and the Chamber of Commerce are hitting the airwaves in a nationwide campaign to educate back-to-school shoppers about the dangers of counterfeit goods.
For more information about what you can do to shop smart for the back-to-school shopping season, visit The Truth Behind Counterfeits | US Customs and Border Protection (cbp.gov), Electronic Commerce Counterfeit Awareness (cbp.gov) and www.USChamber.com/shopsmart .
Follow the CBP Trade Office on Twitter @CBPTradeGov.
