$18 Million in Fake Gibson Guitars Seized by US Customs
Last month, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers and import specialists at the Los Angeles/Long Beach Seaport seized over 3,000 counterfeit Gibson guitars. Working with U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) investigators, and Gibson officials, they reported that the guitars had a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) worth $18,742,820!
Cheryl M. Davies, CBP director of field operations in Los Angeles noted:
“These fraudulent guitars may look and feel legitimate for unsuspecting consumers buying them from third-party online sources, street markets, unauthorized retailers, and person-to-person transactions. As we approach the busy holiday shopping season, consumers should pay attention to where they are buying these goods and how much they are paying, and if is too good to be true it probably is.”
“We are grateful for the hard work that our U.S. CBP officers, HSI special agents, and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department investigators are doing to stop counterfeiting,” adds Cesar Gueikian, CEO of Gibson.
“Our partnership is designed to help every agency work together to protect consumers and our fans from being misled into counterfeits. To our music lovers and customers, no matter which American brand you decide buy, always buy direct from the source, or from authorized dealers. Our pledge is to protect the consumer and give them the tools to make the journey of playing guitar and making music the most amazing experience.”
CBP officers in coordination with HSI special agents and LASD investigators intercepted the suspected cargo arriving in ocean containers from Asia. CBP’s Consumer Products and Mass Merchandising Center of Excellence (CPMM) assisted in estimating the value of the shipment. Gibson confirmed that the guitars intercepted were in fact counterfeit, noting that authentic Gibson guitars are made in the U.S.A. only.
Beth Heidt, chief marketing officer at Gibson added:
“As Gibson celebrates its 130th anniversary this year, we are proud of our legacy of quality and craftsmanship, legendary music partnerships with our artists, and our efforts to promote and create more musicians that continue to shape the sounds of generations of musicians and music lovers across every genre.”
Gibson makes its electric guitars in U.S. factories in Nashville and Memphis, Tennessee, and its acoustic guitars in Bozeman, Montana. According to Reuters, Gibson sells more than 170,000 guitars annually in more than 80 countries.
Counterfeit goods threaten the health and safety of shoppers. They are often made of inferior materials, manufactured under uncontrolled and unsanitary conditions, and labeled with false information.
“Counterfeit goods fund criminal enterprises that engage in forced labor, smuggling, drug trafficking, and other illicit activities,” says Africa R. Bell, CBP port director of the LA/Long Beach seaport. “Counterfeiters are only interested in making a profit. They do not care about you or your family’s well-being or the well-being of our economy.”
About Gibson:
Gibson, the leading iconic guitar brand, has shaped the sounds of generations of musicians and music lovers across genres for 130 years. Founded in 1894 and headquartered in Nashville, Gibson has a legacy of world-class craftsmanship, legendary music partnerships, and progressive product evolution that is unrivaled among musical instrument companies.
The Gibson portfolio includes Gibson, the leading guitar brand, as well as many of the most beloved and recognizable music brands, including Epiphone, which has been on every stage since 1873, Kramer, the original Made To Rock Hard guitar brand, MESA/Boogie, the home of tone, KRK, behind great music for over 30 years, and Maestro, the founder of effect pedals.
