Pennsylvania, United States — A shipment of more than 175 counterfeit auto parts bound for Philadelphia was intercepted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) last month, amounting to a value of $196,000 had they made their way into the legal aftermarket.
The shipment sent from China contained 177 air bag covers, aluminum hoods, front fenders and bumpers, and badges “bearing trademarked logos of Chevrolet, Buick, and Dodge,” the CBP said in a press release.
Having initially arrived in the U.S. on March 2, the shipment was immediately detained on suspicion of counterfeiting and was later confirmed as such by the National Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on March 13.
“Consumers in need of auto repairs should be wary of unscrupulous repair shops and greedy internet vendors that prioritize profits over the safety of their customers,” said Joseph Martella, CBP’s Area Port Director for the Area Port of Philadelphia.
“Consumer safety is a top priority to Customs and Border Protection and CBP officers will continue to seize counterfeit goods that threaten the health and safety of American consumers.”
The release also notes that a shipment of 192 non-NHTSA-compliant headlamps and 40 brake hoses from Taiwan were intercepted near Los Angeles in February.
It should go without saying, but here we go saying it—knock-off parts are cheap, but they are cheap for a reason. Don’t do your shop or your customer a disservice by repairing with uninspected parts.
