US Customs Seizes $18 Million Worth of Counterfeit Gibson Guitars in LA

More Than 3,000 Fake Gibson Guitars Seized

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents seized over 3,000 counterfeit Gibson electric guitars at the Los Angeles-Long Beach Seaport. The guitars were shipped from Asia and, if genuine, would have been valued at $18 million.

Gibson, founded in 1894 and based in Nashville, Tennessee, confirmed that the intercepted guitars were fake. The company is known for its premium, handcrafted guitars made in Nashville and Bozeman, Montana.

Cheryl M. Davies, director of CBP field operations in Los Angeles, warned consumers about buying guitars from unreliable sources. She advised that if a deal seems too good to be true, it likely is.

Gibson guitars hold a significant place in music history. Legendary musicians like Chuck Berry, B.B. King, and Eric Clapton have famously used them.

Beth Heidt, chief marketing officer at Gibson, expressed the emotional impact of counterfeit products on both musicians and the artisans who make these guitars.

The investigation involving CBP, Homeland Security, and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is ongoing. Violating intellectual property laws can lead to serious penalties, including a $250,000 fine and up to 10 years in prison.