SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) San Juan Area Port seized a shipment containing nearly 1,500 cans of counterfeit WD-40 brand lubricant sent from China.

On October 17, CBP officers inspected merchandise consisting of 30 boxes of product declared as an “anti-rust lubricant.” Further examination revealed possible infringement to a registered trademark.

CBP contacted the manufacturer and trademark owner who confirmed the intellectual property rights (IPR) violation. The estimated manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of the shipment is nearly $8,000.

“Our dedicated CBP officers, import specialists, paralegal specialists and seized property specialists continue to be vigilant to detect and seize products that can impact the health and safety of the American public,” said Edward Ryan, assistant director of trade for Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.

CBP works with IP rights holders to accurately detect and seize fraudulent products.

“WD-40 Company is very pleased to know that CBP is actively protecting the interests of rights holders as well as the public from infringing products such as these,” stated Richard Clampitt, general counsel at WD-40 Company in San Diego, California. “The work of CBP and strong IPR laws in the US provide assurance to US consumers that counterfeit WD-40 brand products are rarely found in our markets.”

CBP protects businesses and consumers every day through an aggressive IPR enforcement program. CBP targets and seizes imports of counterfeit and pirated goods, and enforces exclusion orders on patent infringing and other IPR goods.

CBP encourages the public to submit an e-Allegation about counterfeit merchandise being illegally imported into the United States. The e-Allegation provides a means for the public to anonymously report to CBP any suspected violations of trade laws or regulations related to the importation of goods into the US.

These types of violations include misclassification of merchandise, false country of origin markings, health and safety issues, valuation issues, and intellectual property rights.

IMAGE:WD-40 is a very popular lubricant in Puerto Rico

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