Majors

Agents seize $2.85M in fake Tiffany goods

MajorsMar 28, 2016

Agents seize $2.85M in fake Tiffany goods

Officers with U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized a shipment of 1,200 counterfeit Tiffany & Co. bracelets this week at Miami International Airport.

Miami--U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers seized a shipment of 1,200 counterfeit Tiffany & Co. bracelets this week at Miami International Airport.


CBP agents stopped a shipment of 1,200 fake Tiffany bracelets worth $2.85 million at the Miami airport this week.The jewelry was part of a shipment from China and marked another major jewelry seizure at MIA this year. Over the summer, CBP officers intercepted a shipment of 720 pieces of fake Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry worth more than $6 million.

If genuine and sold at MSRP, the Tiffany pieces--which were copies of various models of the retailer’s iconic .925 sterling silver “Return to Tiffany” bracelet--could have totaled as much as $2.85 million. 

In a news release, the CBP said it agents grew suspicious of the counterfeit bling because the bracelets “did not appear to be of the quality consistent with the products normally manufactured by the trademark holders;” in this case, Tiffany.

Import specialists with the CBP examined the bracelets more closely and determined that the bracelets were indeed counterfeit.

MIA Port Director Christopher Maston said the CBP has an “exceptional” team of officers and import specialists who work closely with companies like Tiffany to identify products that infringe on companies’ intellectual property.

Jewelry and watches by the industry’s best-known brands are among the world’s most copied goods and, last year, they were also the most seized in the U.S., surpassing even fake handbags.

A report from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security released in the spring stated that in 2014, CBP officials nabbed fake jewelry and watches worth a total of $375.4 million at retail, representing 31 percent of the total dollar amount of counterfeit goods seized all year.

Michelle Graffis the editor-in-chief at National Jeweler, directing the publication’s coverage both online and in print.

The Latest

trend retail.jpg
PodcastsJan 12, 2026
The latest poscast

test

Screenshot from 2026-01-12 06-22-03.png
PodcastsJan 12, 2026
New podcast without sponsor

test

20210205_Alexia_Connellan_Gatsby_earrings.jpg
TrendsJan 12, 2026
New test Article

test article

trend ss21@2x.jpg
Brought to you by
new sponsored article

test

2019_De_Beers_rough_NEW_1.jpg
PodcastsJan 12, 2026
New sponsored podcast

test

Weekly QuizOct 03, 2024
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
MNQ FINAL - NJ web - 1872 x 1052 px.png
PodcastsJan 12, 2026
Introducing My Next Question, the Podcast

A monthly podcast series for jewelry professionals

Screenshot from 2025-12-31 12-03-28.png
PodcastsDec 31, 2025
Test new podcast post

Test new podcast post

Jewelers Mutual Group Cybersecurity
Brought to you by
Navigating Cybersecurity: Essential Guidance for Jewelers

From protecting customer data to safeguarding inventory records, it's crucial to learn how to tackle cybersecurity challenges.

MNQ - studio - screen -1920 x 1080.png
PodcastsDec 29, 2025
Molly Test Podcast Episode

This is the abstract for Molly Test Podcast Episode

image 169 (4 col).png
PodcastsDec 10, 2025
Podcast With Video

Podcast Without Video or Audio or Image

image 169 (4 col).jpg
Recorded WebinarsDec 04, 2025
New Recorded Webinar for tests

New Recorded Webinar for tests

User-Avatar-PNG-Picture.png
PodcastsDec 03, 2025
Test Article Title

test Abstract

20210204_Couture_show_shot.jpg
PodcastsDec 02, 2025
New podcast

test desc

Screenshot from 2025-12-05 13-54-41.png
PodcastsNov 27, 2025
Test Podcast With Video

Test Podcast With Video. New interview with Ada Lovelace.

Image for tests
PodcastsNov 25, 2025
Test New Podcast Post

Abstract for tests. New Podcast interview with John Lennon, Jimi Hendrix and Jim Morison.

National Jeweler columnist Peter Smith
ColumnistsOct 09, 2024
Peter Smith: 7 Things to Know When Selling Luxury

Ahead of the holiday season, Smith delves into the often subconscious reasons people buy luxury products for themselves or their loved ones.

Edgar Mitchell wearing Rolex watch on Apollo 14
AuctionsOct 09, 2024
Rolex Worn on Apollo 14 Mission Up for Sale

The GMT-Master “Pepsi” belonging to astronaut Edgar Mitchell is a standout in RR Auction’s online “Space Auction,” going on now.

Platinum Guild International training
MajorsOct 09, 2024
PGI Launches New Virtual Sales Training

Retail sales associates can access the video series on mobile to refresh their selling skills.

Gathering at Bharat Diamond Bourse for COVID vaccinations
Policies & IssuesOct 09, 2024
GJNRF: Reaching Out, Rebuilding Futures

For 25 years, India’s Gem & Jewellery National Relief Foundation has provided aid in the wake of war, natural disasters, and global crises.

Sotheby’s A Tsar’s Treasure: Ferdinand of Bulgaria
AuctionsOct 08, 2024
Sotheby’s Selling Jewelry That Belonged to a Bulgarian Tsar

The November auction will feature a collection of jewels owned by Ferdinand I, the first king of modern Bulgaria, and his family.

Rough diamonds mined at the Diavik Diamond Mine
SourcingOct 08, 2024
Rio Tinto Begins New Phase of Production That Will Extend Diavik’s Life

Commercial production has begun underground at the Canadian diamond mine’s A21 pipe.

Stock image of hand holding phone by keyboard
SurveysOct 08, 2024
What to Know About Online Shopping This Holiday Season

Deloitte and Adobe Analytics shared their insights on the season, from the retail sales forecast to the role of generative AI.

Sylvie and Uncommon Man Campaign
CollectionsOct 08, 2024
Sylvie Adds New Men’s Bands

The Texas-based jeweler collaborated with luxury clothing brand Uncommon Man on men’s bands designed with European influences.

Diamond on polishing wheel Venus Jewel India
SourcingOct 08, 2024
Is Current Diamond Industry Turbulence Shaping a ‘New Normal’?

Industry players have found ways to cope with market conditions while working to reshape themselves in the face of emerging realities.

Rio Tinto 2024 Beyond RareTM Tender Art Series
SourcingOct 07, 2024
Rio Tinto to Offer 76 Diamonds in 2024 Beyond Rare Tender

The sales event, in its second year, features a selection of rare diamonds from the miner’s Argyle and Diavik diamond mines.

Kristi Yamaguchi and Scott Heller
CollectionsOct 07, 2024
Olympian Kristi Yamaguchi Partners With Heller Jewelers on New Collection

A portion of the proceeds from the “Always Dream” collection will go to Yamaguchi's foundation, supporting early childhood literacy.

Hill & Co. logo
SurveysOct 07, 2024
Hill & Co.’s New ‘Business of Jewelry Report’ Is Out

The first in what is slated to be a series of in-depth reports from the consulting company, it focuses on shortening supply chains.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy