Baltimore Customs Officers Seize $72K In Counterfeit Flooring

BALTIMORE, MD — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers recently seized more than 10,000 cases of counterfeit vinyl flooring tiles shipped to Baltimore from China, authorities said in a news release.

Authorities said the shipment was seized on Feb. 25 after officers confirmed the United Diamond Core SPC vinyl flooring tiles were counterfeit.

According to authorities, officers initially examined the shipment when it arrived in Baltimore on Jan. 28. Authorities said officers suspected the UL Greenguard certification mark and the L2C trademark were counterfeit and detained the flooring tiles on Jan. 30.

According to authorities, the UL Greenguard mark certifies that a product has low chemical emissions, such as volatile organic compounds, which pose serious health concerns to consumers. The L2C trademark is used as part of an industry authentication program designed to detect infringing flooring products.

"Consumers could be victimized twice by counterfeit products, such as these flooring tiles," Adam Rottman, CBP’s area port director for Baltimore, said in a statement. "The product could be manufactured using unsafe and substandard materials that pose health and safety threats, and counterfeit products void any associated manufacturer warranties for repair or replacement of inferior or damaged products."

The shipment was destined to an address in Sheridan, Wyoming, authorities said. The shipment, had it been authentic, was valued at more than $72,422.

For more information about the dangers often associated with the purchase of counterfeit goods, visit the Truth Behind Counterfeits public awareness campaign website at CBP’s Fake Goods Real Dangers.