Crime
Nearly $9 Million In Counterfeit FIFA World Cup Merchandise Seized At Houston Airport
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said its trade enforcement officers at Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) have seized nearly 20,000 pieces of counterfeit FIFA merchandise that would have retailed for nearly $9 million if genuine.
CBP said trade enforcement team officers working at IAH seized nearly 20,000 items including jerseys, shorts, shot glasses, hand fans, soccer balls, whiskey decanters and pet jerseys bearing fraudulent FIFA and FIFA World Cup 2026 trademarks.
The seized jerseys represented the national teams of the U.S., Mexico, Portugal, France, Germany, Brazil, Spain, Argentina, and Ecuador.
CBP said most of the shipments containing counterfeit merchandise originated in China and were destined for addresses both within and outside of the U.S.
The agency said similar operations targeting counterfeit FIFA World Cup merchandise around the country have resulted in numerous seizures.
“CBP has a significant role in protecting American consumers from low quality and potentially dangerous counterfeit items,” said CBP Area Port Director Roderick Hudson. “Consumers should always be informed and know where they are buying their products. Too many global criminal networks are very deceptive in scamming sports fans and harming American consumers and businesses. CBP works tirelessly every day to protect the public, our local economy, and those who play by the rules.”U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said its trade enforcement officers at Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) have seized nearly 20,000 pieces of counterfeit FIFA merchandise that would have retailed for nearly $9 million if genuine.
CBP said trade enforcement team officers working at IAH seized nearly 20,000 items including jerseys, shorts, shot glasses, hand fans, soccer balls, whiskey decanters and pet jerseys bearing fraudulent FIFA and FIFA World Cup 2026 trademarks.
The seized jerseys represented the national teams of the U.S., Mexico, Portugal, France, Germany, Brazil, Spain, Argentina, and Ecuador.
CBP said most of the shipments containing counterfeit merchandise originated in China and were destined for addresses both within and outside of the U.S.
The agency said similar operations targeting counterfeit FIFA World Cup merchandise around the country have resulted in numerous seizures.
“CBP has a significant role in protecting American consumers from low quality and potentially dangerous counterfeit items,” said CBP Area Port Director Roderick Hudson. “Consumers should always be informed and know where they are buying their products. Too many global criminal networks are very deceptive in scamming sports fans and harming American consumers and businesses. CBP works tirelessly every day to protect the public, our local economy, and those who play by the rules.”
