Federal agents seized more than $6 million in counterfeit FIFA merchandise at Port Houston and Galveston, warning consumers about fake goods ahead of major sporting events.
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Federal authorities seized more than $6 million worth of counterfeit FIFA merchandise at ports in Houston and Galveston, officials said Wednesday, as part of ongoing efforts to combat illegal goods ahead of major sporting events.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported confiscating thousands of items that unlawfully used FIFA trademarks and logos tied to the World Cup.
The seized shipment included about 12,000 Adidas soccer jerseys, 4,500 Adidas FIFA-branded soccer balls, nearly 4,400 pairs of athletic shoes and more than 2,200 counterfeit Apple watches and earbuds. Officials said additional items, including toys and perfumes, were also intercepted.
Authorities estimate the total value of the counterfeit goods exceeds $6 million.
“CBP takes very seriously our role in protecting American consumers from low quality and potentially dangerous counterfeit items,” said Thomas Mahn, the agency’s director for Galveston and the Port of Houston.
Officials said many of the seized products were shipped from China and were destined for distribution across the United States. Similar counterfeit FIFA merchandise has been intercepted nationwide, according to the agency.
CBP said enforcement efforts typically increase ahead of major events such as the World Cup and Super Bowl, when demand for branded merchandise surges.
“With the extraordinary growth in e-commerce, consumers should always be mindful of where they are buying their products,” Mahn said.
Authorities warned that counterfeit goods not only violate intellectual property laws but may also pose safety risks due to lower manufacturing standards.
Officials encourage consumers to purchase merchandise from authorized retailers to avoid counterfeit products.
The investigation into the seized shipments is ongoing.
