$4 Million In Counterfeit Shoes Being Donated To Haiti ...and more

A shipment of more than 27-thousand pairs of shoes will soon be on its way to a country in desperate need of a donation like this. The U. S. Customs and Border Protection is donating the shoes, worth more than $4 million to Haiti.

The shoes are counterfeit and were intercepted at Port Everglades and the Port of Miami. In accordance with established regulations the shoes are being turned over to World Vision. World Vision is a relief organization based in Pennsylvania and CBP has requested that the merchandise be donated to the country of Haiti.

Stopping counterfeit and pirated goods is a high priority for CBP, and the agency devotes substantial resources-officers, import specialists, international trade specialists, attorneys and auditors to bring to justice those who violate the law.

Counterfeiting hurts legitimate business owners. The trade of fake goods causes losses of $200-$250 billion a year for U.S. companies. Counterfeit goods also end up costing jobs to three quarters of a million Americans, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

"We are delighted the shoes are being donated, and that they will go to those who are in need during this holiday season," said Director of Field Operations Harold Woodward.

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