HOUSTON — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at the Houston Seaport seized more than 3,500 hoverboards, valued at more than $1.8 Million.
The self-balancing scooters, commonly referred to as hoverboards, contained batteries marked with counterfeit trademark logos.
“Counterfeit batteries pose a tremendous safety risk as they have been linked to substandard lithium ion batteries used to power some hoverboards,” said Acting CBP Port Director Erik Shoberg. “Unsuspecting consumers are paying hundreds of dollars for a product that may include a substandard battery.”
Shoberg continued by explaining that those profiting from counterfeit goods are not only placing consumers at risk, but threaten America’s economic security.
“When counterfeiters target a product to duplicate, they are stealing the intellectual property of that trademark holder and its employees who count on the success of that brand for employment,” Shoberg added. “Protecting intellectual property rights is one of CBP’s top trade priorities.
