Counterfeit Stamps Discovered at Chicago Airport

At Chicago O’Hare Airport, U.S. Customs and Border Protection uncovered nearly 162,000 counterfeit Forever Stamps from China, spotlighting a surge in postal fraud.

Quick Takes

CBP seized thousands of counterfeit stamps at Chicago O’Hare.
The fake stamps originated from China and breached U.S. trademark laws.
Improvements in counterfeit quality make detection more challenging.
Efforts are underway to crack down on fake stamp sales online.

CBP’s Major Seizure

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at Chicago O’Hare International Airport recently intercepted nearly 162,000 counterfeit Forever Stamps. These stamps, originating from China, were seized during routine inspections at the Chicago International Mail Branch. Customs officials valued the fake stamps at over $118,000 if they had been genuine.

The discovery was made possible due to indicators such as inferior quality and the shipping method, which violated U.S. trademark laws. These counterfeit items were part of eight separate shipments, highlighting the persistent challenge posed by international counterfeit trade.

Nearly 162,000 counterfeit #US Forever Stamps originating from #China were recently seized at a mail facility near the #Chicago O’Hare International Airport, … https://t.co/qiJ790Gxmd

— The Epoch Times – China Insider (@EpochTimesChina) February 17, 2025

Trends and Impacts of Counterfeiting

The rise in counterfeit postage stamps is particularly concerning during high-volume mailing periods, such as Valentine’s Day. Counterfeiters exploit such occasions to flood the market with fake stamps, often sold at significant discounts. As the CBP’s LaFonda D. Sutton-Burke mentioned, “Counterfeiters only care about making a profit. They don’t care about the effect that fake postage has on your ability to send important mail and overall impacts the U.S. economy.” These actions undermine the integrity of the postal system and strain the U.S. economy.

Detection of these counterfeit goods is becoming increasingly difficult as their quality improves. Consumers may struggle to discern fakes from authentic stamps, a challenge the Postal Service is working diligently to address. Enforcing law and order is a continuous job that requires collaboration with e-commerce platforms to remove such threats.

Enforcement and Future Measures

CBP officers and specialists have gained recognition for their capabilities in identifying and intercepting these fraudulent products. Sutton-Burke commended their efforts, stating, “Our officers and specialists are some of the most highly trained in the nation, and their level of expertise is evident with these seizures. CBP officers were able to identify these very realistic counterfeits and stop them from reaching their destinations.” This operation underscores the essence of being vigilant amid an increasing threat landscape.

U.S. Postal Inspection Service, alongside CBP, is actively shutting down websites trafficking in counterfeit stamps and partnering with online marketplaces to remove malicious vendors. In fiscal year 2022, these partnerships led to the seizure of nearly $2.5 million in counterfeit stamps from China.