3,000 Counterfeit Gibson Guitars Worth $18M Seized in Record U.S. Bust

Federal authorities intercepted the fake guitars from Asia at the Angeles-Long Beach Seaport in a historic crackdown on counterfeit goods.

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) seized over 3,000 fake Gibson guitars, the largest counterfeit musical instrument bust in U.S. history.
The counterfeit guitars, arriving from Asia, would have been valued at $18.74 million if authentic, according to CBP estimates.
The operation involved multiple agencies, including Homeland Security Investigations, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, and Gibson representatives.
Gibson confirmed the guitars were fake, emphasizing that its genuine instruments are handcrafted exclusively in the United States.
Officials warned consumers to exercise caution during holiday shopping, as counterfeit goods often pose safety risks and undermine legitimate businesses.