PHILADELPHIA, PA — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers recently confiscated 22,000 counterfeit Pennsylvania vehicle inspection stickers during inspections at the Area Port of Philadelphia. The illegal shipments, originating from Israel, were valued at $1,404,700 if authentic.
The counterfeit inspection stickers were discovered in two separate parcels—10,000 stickers were intercepted on November 26, and another 12,000 were found on December 9. Following an investigation, Pennsylvania authorities confirmed the stickers were fraudulent, leading to their official seizure on December 16.
Vehicle inspection stickers in Pennsylvania play a critical role in ensuring compliance with mechanical, safety, and emissions standards. Fraudulent stickers compromise public safety by obscuring uninspected, potentially unsafe vehicles. According to state law, vehicle owners caught using counterfeit stickers may face a fine of up to $500 and possible jail time.
“Unscrupulous actors peddling fraudulent vehicle inspection stickers create a very serious public safety concern. Fake inspection stickers mask unsafe motor vehicles that place all motorists on our roadways in harm,” stated Cleatus P. Hunt, Jr., CBP’s Area Port Director.
CBP officers emphasized their commitment to identifying and seizing counterfeit goods that pose risks to consumers and public safety, maintaining vigilance in monitoring shipments entering U.S. ports. No arrests have been made in connection with the seized shipments.
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