Gibson, in partnership with US Customs and Border Safety and others, has introduced the interception of over 3,000 counterfeit guitars that have been on their method into the US.

Described because the “largest counterfeit musical instrument seizure on document”, the operation noticed CBP officers, working with Homeland Safety particular brokers and Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Division investigators, who intercepted the suspected cargo arriving in ocean containers from Asia.

Whereas Gibson has confirmed that the guitars have been, the truth is, counterfeit, it claims that had they been genuine, they might have been price $18,742,820 in whole.

Photos equipped to Guitar.com by Gibson and the US Customs and Border Safety Workplace reveal that counterfeit guitars claiming to be made by different manufacturers together with Fender, PRS and Gretsch have been additionally seized.

“These fraudulent guitars might feel and look legit for unsuspecting shoppers shopping for them from third-party on-line sources, road markets, unauthorised retailers and person-to-person transactions,” says Cheryl M. Davies, CBP Director of Area Operations in Los Angeles.

“As we strategy the busy vacation purchasing season, shoppers ought to take note of the place they’re shopping for these items and the way a lot they’re paying, and whether it is too good to be true it most likely is.”

“We’re grateful for the arduous work that our US CBP officers, HSI particular brokers, and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Division investigators are doing to cease counterfeiting,” provides Gibson CEO Cesar Gueikian. 

“Our partnership is designed to assist each company work collectively to guard shoppers and our followers from being misled into counterfeits. In the present day’s announcement offers us hope that we’re heading in the right direction, working collectively as companions. 

“To our music lovers and clients, irrespective of which American model you resolve to purchase, at all times purchase direct from the supply, or from approved sellers. Our pledge is to guard the patron and provides them the instruments to make the journey of taking part in guitar and making music essentially the most superb expertise.”

“Counterfeit merchandise hurt legit companies, erode client belief, and injury the status of iconic manufacturers like Gibson,” provides LA County Sheriff’s Division Lieutenant William Kitchin. “Past the financial losses, counterfeit items usually don’t meet security or high quality requirements, leaving shoppers in danger.”

In Fiscal Yr 2023, it’s reported that CBP seized 19,724 shipments containing items that violated Mental Property Rights (IPR), equating to just about 23 million counterfeit items with roughly $2.3 billion had they been real.”