NEW YORK — U.S. Customs and Border Protection's New York Field Office announced the donation of 17,112 pairs of counterfeit Timberland branded shoes and boots to World Vision International, a non-profit organization.
All the items were seized by CBP officials at the Port of New York/Newark for bearing counterfeit trademarks of the famous brand. The total estimated domestic value of the items is $722,824, with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of more than $2 million.
“Enforcing intellectual property rights (IPR) remains a priority trade initiative for Customs and Border Protection,” said Robert E. Perez, director of CBP’s New York Field Operations. “We are proud to team with Timberland, to make this donation happen.”
Last fiscal year, CBP and trademark holders donated merchandise valued at over one million dollars to charities and relief efforts all over the world.
CBP is responsible for enforcing trade laws and preventing counterfeits from entering the commerce of the United States. Once federal forfeiture procedures are completed, seized items may be donated to relief efforts and to charity, with the trademark owner’s approval. Products that threaten the health and safety of American consumers are destroyed.