US Customs Seizes Over $18 Million in Fake Gibson Guitars in Historic Bust

Record-Breaking Seizure of Counterfeit Gibson Guitars

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers in Los Angeles have made history with the largest counterfeit musical instrument seizure, confiscating more than $18 million in fake Gibson guitars.

Working in collaboration with local and federal agencies at the LA/Long Beach Seaport, agents intercepted suspected cargo arriving in ocean containers from Asia.

More than 3000 Counterfeit Guitars Seized

In the operation, agents confiscated more than 3,000 counterfeit guitars. The CBP stated in a news release that if the guitars were genuine, they would have had a combined value of over $18.74 million.

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Gibson Confirms Guitars Were Counterfeit

Gibson confirmed the guitars were indeed counterfeit, emphasizing that the legendary instruments are only manufactured in the U.S.

Gibson’s Chief Marketing Officer, Beth Heidt, expressed that the seizure was “emotional and personal” for the company. She explained that it represented “generations of American families that have dedicated their entire lives to handcrafting Gibson instruments.”

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Effects of Counterfeiting on Businesses and Consumers

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Lt. William Kitchin stated, “Counterfeit products harm legitimate businesses, erode consumer trust and damage the reputation of iconic brands like Gibson. Beyond the economic losses, counterfeit goods often do not meet safety or quality standards, leaving consumers at risk.”

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