Bringing counterfiet toys/models back to the US

[neocarbunkle]

Hi I am going home on Tuesday and I have a suitcase full of gundam models (japanese anime robot toys), most (not all) of them are counterfiet. Should I be worried at all? They are all out of the package, partly assembled, and are all different models. The originals are made by a Japanese company which are sold along side the counterfiet ones on Taobao. Even serious fans like myself can not tell the difference just by looking at them, and the customs officer is likely to have no idea what they are.

I might just be over thinking it, but bringing a big suitcase filled with nothing but toys from China might look a little suspicious.

[abcdefg]

What does the US Customs website say on the subject?

 

http://www.cbp.gov/travel/clearing-cbp

[gato]

Do the toys carry trademarks/logos? If not, then I think the risks would be lower. But the fact that you have an entire suitcase full of such toys does increase the chance that you will be asked about them.

See here:

http://greatlakescustomslaw.com/customs-seizure-fake-toys-purses-valued-500k/

The shipment, which originated from China, was manifested as bags, plastic toys and jewelry.  However, when CBP officers examined the shipment, cartons of women’s handbags bearing counterfeit Prada, Christian Dior, Michael Kors, and other name brands were discovered.  Also in the shipment were cartons of plastic building blocks bearing the Lego brand.

CBP officers provided images of the items to the different trademark holders who each confirmed that the imported handbags and building blocks were counterfeit and confusingly similar to the genuine brand. The import specialists determined the MSRP value of the goods. The seized items, which were enroute to a Houston store, will be destroyed.

[Lu]

You should be at least a little bit worried, since importing illegal or pirated goods is illegal and can result in confiscation of the goods and a fine. How worried you should be exactly depends on how likely it is that you get caught. If your suitcase is opened, I wouldn't be too sure that the custom people don't know that your models are counterfeit. Knowing that stuff is their job, after all. I agree with the poster above that bringing a whole suitcase of them might invite some extra scrutiny.