In coordination with Import specialists assigned to the Machinery Center of Excellence and Expertise, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers assigned to Los Angeles/Long Beach Seaport intercepted an shipment of 3940 counterfeit filters bearing unauthorised National Sanitation Foundation logos (NSF). The seizure on April 10 highlights the issue of counterfeit goods.
Fake Filters from China are discovered during routine inspection
CBP officers discovered the fake filters during a routine inspection of mixed ocean cargo from China. Import Specialists confirmed the fake NSF certification marks on the filters. These were recorded by CBP through its eRecording program for border enforcement.
Water filters that are counterfeit pose a serious risk to the health and safety of consumers, since they do not meet the required standards for filtration. Consumers find it difficult to differentiate between counterfeit and genuine filters due to the use of trademarks, branding and misleading claims. These counterfeit filters may make the water taste and look good, but they are ineffective at removing harmful chemicals like lead.
fake products are a growing problem in the pool and spa industries. The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers warns of the dangers of counterfeit water filters.
CBP is committed to protecting the safety and health of American consumers at the Los Angeles/Long Beach Seaport. Since February 2021 they have seized an astounding 67,342 fake replacement water filters, swimming pool and spa filters and other filtration product with an estimated Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP).
CBP is a part of broader efforts by CBP to combat violations of intellectual property rights. CBP seized nationwide, in fiscal year 2022 nearly 21,000 shipments of counterfeit goods with a MSRP estimated at nearly 3 billion, if the products were genuine.
CBP launched the Truth Behind Counterfeit campaign to raise consumer awareness of the dangers associated with counterfeit products. They aim to educate consumers through educational initiatives in airports and on-line resources about the dangers of purchasing counterfeit or pirated products.
CBP encourages you to report any suspected or known illegal or fraudulent trade activities by using the eAllegations Online Trade Violation Reporting System, or by calling 1-866-BE-ALERT. Intellectual property rights (IPR) violations can be reported to the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center at https://www.iprcenter.gov/referral/ or by calling 1-866-IPR-2060.
It is important that consumers are aware of the risks associated with counterfeit products. For more information about the risks of purchasing counterfeit water filters and the Filter It Out campaign, visit https://www.filteritout.org/. To learn more about NSF certification and ensure the authenticity of products, visit http://www.nsf.org/consumer-resources/what-is-nsf-certification.
The post Feds seize counterfeit filters from China at Long Beach Seaport first appeared on PoolMagazine.com. Get the Latest Pool News.
