U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials have seized a shipment from China containing $4,000 worth of counterfeit AirPods.
The package, described as containing “Lithium Ion Batteries”, caught the attention of officers at a DHL Express Consignment Carrier Facility at the beginning of the month, with an inspection revealing inconsistencies compared to the legitimate AirPods produced by Apple.
25 units were seized during the bust. The counterfeit AirPods would have sold at $3,975 if they were priced per Apple’s retail price of $159 for the genuine product.
Counterfeit goods, like these, damage our economy, said Shane Campbell, Area Port Director, Chicago. When criminals sell these items, it deprives legitimate businesses from thriving. Unfortunately, many citizens do not realize the harmful effects that counterfeit products have on American businesses and jobs. American businesses and industries lose billions in revenues annually due to counterfeits and the public is put at risk with unsafe counterfeits which may not meet safety standards. Our CBP officers are proudly protecting American businesses, jobs and consumers.
The counterfeit earbuds will now be destroyed, per port policy.