In a significant operation, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers in Rochester, NY, have confiscated a substantial amount of counterfeit merchandise, including fake Victor Wembanyama Panini Prizm rookie cards, signaling an ongoing issue with counterfeit sports memorabilia.
CBP officers stationed at the Rochester Point of Entry recently made a significant seizure involving hundreds of thousands of dollars in counterfeit merchandise. Among the seized items were counterfeit rookie cards of basketball player Victor Wembanyama, designed to replicate the 2023-24 Prizm base cards from Panini.
During routine inspections, officers examined several shipments that included a variety of items such as designer apparel, footwear, handbags, watches, Airpods, and "NBA branded rookie cards." It was in this context that they discovered 29 counterfeit Wembanyama cards, complete with fraudulently replicated Panini trademarks.
The discovery was made even more significant given the rarity and high value of genuine Wembanyama Prizm cards, which have seen over 52,000 units sold on eBay alone, totaling more than $8 million in sales since their release. This incident highlights the challenges within the sports collectibles market, where items like rookie cards are highly prized and traded 24/7.
The CBP Consumer Products and Mass Merchandising division confirmed the counterfeit status of these cards, although the origins of the shipments and the intended recipients of the counterfeit cards remain undisclosed.
This case reflects a broader concern within the collectibles community about counterfeit sports cards, which, although not typically highlighted in seizure announcements, represent a significant area of concern. According to ICE, such counterfeit goods are not only illegal but often help finance other criminal activities on an international scale.
Under U.S. law, CBP has the authority to detain, seize, and destroy imported merchandise that carries infringing trademarks or copyrights, provided these are registered and recorded with the necessary U.S. authorities. This enforcement is crucial in safeguarding the interests of collectors and maintaining the integrity of the collectibles market.