CBP Seizes Over $1.4M in Counterfeit Sports Merchandise Before Super Bowl

Ahead of Super Bowl LIX, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers in Cincinnati seized 85 shipments containing over 4,000 counterfeit sports merchandise items, primarily from China and Hong Kong. If genuine, these goods—ranging from jerseys and hats to coins and footwear—would have had an MSRP of over $1.43 million.

Among the seizures, 30 shipments contained fake NFL, MLB, and MLS jerseys, with an estimated value of $232,000. Counterfeit goods for teams like the Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens, and Detroit Lions were among the intercepted items. CBP experts determined the fakes based on poor materials, packaging, and suspicious shipping routes.

“Buying these dupes not only supports criminal organizations but also defrauds legitimate American businesses,” said Cincinnati Port Director Eric Zizelman.

CBP continues to protect consumers and businesses by intercepting counterfeit products that deceive buyers and pose economic risks. Importers and consumers are encouraged to verify the authenticity of goods and report suspected violations to CBP or the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center.

For more information on counterfeit goods and trade compliance, visit CBP’s website.

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