CBP Seizes Nearly $30K in Counterfeit Cosmetics, Pens in Pennsylvania

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers recently seized nearly $30,000 in counterfeit cosmetics and Sharpie pens headed to the Lehigh Valley and Berks County. The seizures included several shipments of counterfeit Estee Lauder and SkinCeuticals products, which collectively would have been worth approximately $28,550 if authentic. Officials warned that counterfeit cosmetics can contain harmful chemicals that pose serious health risks, including potential links to cancer and skin issues. The agency emphasized that such products are often made with substandard materials and may involve forced labor. In a statement, CBP's area port director cautioned that while consumers might save money on these knockoffs, they could face much higher medical costs in the future. Last year, CBP reported over 32,000 seizures with a total value of about $5.4 billion had the products been genuine.