U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officers seized 1,072 counterfeit rechargeable deep-cycle lead batteries at the Port of San Juan, the organisation reported on 23 October.
The total estimated manufacturer suggested retail price of the seized batteries— which displayed “Reverse RU,” a protected trademark— was around $208,068, said the CBP.
Last year the CBP made 152 seizures of batteries/machinery.
An ILA spokesperson told BEST Battery Briefing: “Peddling counterfeit goods is dangerous for consumers and industry alike. The work of customs and other enforcement agencies such as trading standards to prevent the import and distribution of fake goods is critical to fair trade and highly valued and supported by our industry.”
Leida Colon, assistant director of Field Operations for Trade at CBP, said: “Consumers purchase products based on the quality attributed to a particular brand. Counterfeiters piggyback on a brand to sell an inferior quality product or that which does not meet the industry safety standards.”
Lisa Dry, spokesperson for Battery Council International, told American Shipper media outlet: “Counterfeit goods are unfortunately found across many industries, and in the battery industry, have the potential to create safety and performance issues if they have not been manufactured to the standards we require.”