Customs took my son's stuff - is there any compensation?
He just got back to the US from China and customs took all the dvd's and clothes he had bought, even though they were for his own use and not to be resold. It was fake Nike shoes and stuff, etc. and he knew they were fake, but they looked cool anyway. If it's for your own use, why did customs take it? Is there any way to get compensated for all this stuff? He's really upset because he bought and paid for it, and now they have just taken it.
Techwing2010-08-02T01:05:45Z
Favorite Answer
Fake brand names are counterfeit goods, and it's illegal to bring them into the United States. There is no compensation for the merchandise seized by customs. The same is true for DVDs if they contain pirated versions of copyrighted material such as movies or software. There is no personal use exemption. A person can even be fined or prosecuted for bringing them in, so just having them seized is getting off easy.
In theory, customs destroys the contraband material and throws it away or incinerates it. In practice, well, working in customs does have its unofficial perks for those who are dishonest.
Counterfeit goods are illegal, even if they're for your own use. The customs officers are responsible for keeping counterfeit items from coming into the country. There is no compensation; what your son was doing isn't legal. Sorry, I know it's not what you want to here but the laws are there for a reason, and your son chose not to follow the law.
I believe there is a "limit" to what is consider "personal use" when you bring items like this through customs. When you try to claim "large" quantities are for personal use, they don't really believe you? I am only guessing since his stuff was taken, he probably had an excess amount and they weren't buying his story of "personal" use? And I doubt that he will be compensated for what they took. It's doesn't matter that he paid for it, it's based on what's allowed to come through customs! (do you realize why this is illegal), If I were him, he should be happy that's all they did to him (it could have been worse!)
be glad they didnt fine him if you read http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/travel/vacation/kbyg/top_10_trvler_tps.ctt/top_10_trvler_tps.pdf it states not to bring in counterfit items else the customs will take them.. so you are out of luck...