NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Area Port of Norfolk-Newport News seized 93 ceramic sinks on April 27. The sinks were imported from China and bore a counterfeit UPC Shield certification, indicating they failed to meet safety and performance standards.
The shipment, destined for Douglas County, Colorado, was appraised at $9,021 had the sinks been authentic. The UPC Shield and design mark are owned by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, signifying that a plumbing product meets the Uniform Plumbing Code’s safety and performance standards.
CBP officers initially inspected the ceramic sinks in late March. During this initial check, officers could not locate the sink model number, SN QC05, in the IAPMO product directory, prompting them to detain the shipment for further investigation.
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Customs and Border Protection officers consulted trade experts at both CBP’s Consumer Products and Mass Merchandising Center of Excellence and Expertise and at CBP’s Intellectual Property Enforcement Branch. After a thorough review, CBP’s IPE Branch determined that the use of the UPC Shield mark was unauthorized, making the goods subject to seizure.
Area Port Director Keri Brady for Norfolk-Newport News, emphasized the dangers of such fraudulent products. “Unscrupulous vendors victimize consumers by selling inferior products, like these sinks with unauthorized UPC Shield marks, as authentic products and then leave the consumer hanging when the consumer quickly learns that the counterfeit sink’s failure is not covered by warranty,” Brady said. “Intercepting counterfeit goods is a Customs and Border Protection trade enforcement priority and a mission that we take very seriously.”…