iKnockoffs: U.S. Customers agents seize fake Apple AirPods worth millions

Not music to Customs ears…

U.S. Customs and Border officials found quite the haul of knockoff headphones in a shipman last week. Agents in Cincinnati inspected three large shipments from China and found 36,000 fake Apple AirPods, according to the agency. 

The shipments did not have Apple logos but were in the same shape and design as the tech giant’s, which violated its trademark, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. 

Officials say the shipments had a declared value of $5,280, but if they were the real thing would have been worth more than $7 million. 

The knockoffs were headed to an address in Dayton, Kentucky, officials noted. 

“Counterfeit products can be deceiving at first glance,” said Cincinnati Port Director Richard Gillespie. “They’re often cheaper and can appear very similar to the real thing. However, inferior products can end up costing consumers more than if they purchased the genuine item because of the high likelihood of substandard materials and malfunctioning parts. Supporting legitimate businesses is the smart choice, and buying from trusted companies protects against potential human rights violations and damage to our economy.”

If anyone has information on any counterfeit merchandise illegally imported into the U.S., they are asked to report it through an online portal.