Why take out a hefty loan for the price of a quality, luxury handbag when you can simply purchase a knockoff online for more than half off the original price? That’s what some shoppers have begun to believe amid the rising counterfeit trend taking over the fashion industry. Many people see no harm in snagging a knockoff like a Louis Vuitton purse from an online retailer. What they may not know is buying counterfeit isn't as harmless as it appears. The truth is, it’s illegal to own counterfeit goods. While it's unlikely you'll face any jail time for buying a knockoff, you may face other consequences. There’s a very real possibility that your global entry status will be denied. Indeed, many people have reported that their knockoff purchases have led to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection denying their application for entry into the United States. One social media user explained how she had purchased what she assumed was an authentic Starbucks Stanley tumbler from an online retailer but had not received it. She opened a case with the retailer and they refunded her money. About a month after the purchase, she received a letter from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, saying they had confiscated the tumbler. A few weeks later, she received notification that her application for global entry was denied for “prior customs or agricultural violation.” Most online marketplaces like Amazon or eBay have their own take-down processes and built-in forms for reporting counterfeit items and are protected against liability if they respond to take-down requests in a timely fashion. While it’s unclear exactly what economic impact this ban may pose, the rise of the knockoff culture has signaled a change in the way we shop as a whole.
The Knockoff Craze Isn’t Harmless After All
Why take out a hefty loan for the price of a quality, luxury handbag when you can simply purchase a knockoff online for more than half off the original price? That’s what some shoppers have begun to believe amid the rising counterfeit trend taking over the fashion industry. Many people see no harm in snagging a knockoff like a Louis Vuitton purse from an online retailer. What they may not know is buying counterfeit isn't as harmless as it appears. The truth is, it’s illegal to own counterfeit goods. While it's unlikely you'll face any jail time for buying a knockoff, you may face other consequences. There’s a very real possibility that your global entry status will be denied. Indeed, many people have reported that their knockoff purchases have led to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection denying their application for entry into the United States. One social media user explained how she had purchased what she assumed was an authentic Starbucks Stanley tumbler from an online retailer but had not received it. She opened a case with the retailer and they refunded her money. About a month after the purchase, she received a letter from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, saying they had confiscated the tumbler. A few weeks later, she received notification that her application for global entry was denied for “prior customs or agricultural violation.” Most online marketplaces like Amazon or eBay have their own take-down processes and built-in forms for reporting counterfeit items and are protected against liability if they respond to take-down requests in a timely fashion. While it’s unclear exactly what economic impact this ban may pose, the rise of the knockoff culture has signaled a change in the way we shop as a whole.