Customs seizes $43 million worth of counterfeit Audemars Piguet watches bound for New York

Customs and Border Protection officers halted a container of 300 counterfeit Audemars Piguet watches arriving from Hong Kong at the Louisville, Kentucky port on July 31. The watches, embellished with faux diamonds and gold, would fetch $39,000 each if genuine, making the seized batch worth $43 million in authentic value. The shipment was part of a broader crackdown that has seized 875 fake Audemars Piguet watches this summer, a collection that would exceed $1.25 billion if real.

Louisville Port Director Philip Onken emphasized the need for shoppers to recognize scams involving low-quality, potentially hazardous counterfeit items. Officials highlighted that over 90% of counterfeit seizures occur through international mail, with encrypted apps like WhatsApp and Telegram facilitating direct-to-door sales. Penalties for trafficking such goods can reach $2 million in fines and up to ten years in prison. The illicit trade also deprives New York state and city of an estimated $1 billion in tax revenue.