U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced on November 26, 2024, that it had intercepted more than 3,000 counterfeit Gibson guitars at the Los Angeles–Long Beach Seaport. Gibson confirmed the instruments were counterfeit. CBP put their hypothetical value at $18,742,820 if they had been genuine—a genuine-instrument MSRP estimate, not the value of the fakes or a calculation of financial losses.
What happened in the Gibson guitar seizure?
CBP officers and import specialists at the Los Angeles–Long Beach Seaport worked with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department investigators, and Gibson representatives. The guitars arrived in ocean containers from Asia. Gibson’s confirmation is the basis for describing them as counterfeit. CBP called the seizure the largest counterfeit musical-instrument seizure on record.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Fender Squier Debut Stratocaster Beginner Electric Guitar Kit, Black | $279.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Les Paul Custom, Ebony with Bag | $799.00 | Buy on Amazon |
The announcement does not identify a specific country of origin, the manufacturer, or the date the guitars were seized. The Associated Press reported on November 29, 2024, that the investigation was ongoing at that time; the available reporting does not establish a later outcome, arrest, charge, or final disposition.
What does the $18.7 million figure mean?
CBP said the more than 3,000 guitars would have had a combined manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $18,742,820 if they had been genuine. That is a hypothetical genuine-guitar MSRP figure. It is not a verified market or resale value for the counterfeit instruments, nor does it measure losses to Gibson, buyers, or other parties.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
#1 Best Overall
- One Squier Debut Series Stratocaster electric guitar, Frontman 10G amp, a padded gig bag, a strap, a cable, picks, a guitar stand, and an extra set of strings
- Designed by the most trusted name in guitar and backed by a 75-year legacy of quality and craftsmanship
- This beginner guitar kit is perfect for all ages, and it comes with a free 30-day subscription to Fender Play which includes free lessons to build your skills by playing the songs you love
- Designed for beginners, the Squier Debut Series features the iconic Fender Stratocaster in three signature colors--Black, Dakota Red and 2-Tone Sunburst; this guitar includes a super-comfortable "c" shaped neck, laurel fingerboard and thin, lightweight body for more comfort and playability.
- The Squier Debut Series Strat features three single-coil pickups with 5-way switching that offers a wide range of classic Strat tones
How can shoppers reduce the risk of buying a counterfeit?
CBP Director of Field Operations in Los Angeles Cheryl M. Davies warned that fake guitars may look and feel legitimate to unsuspecting buyers using third-party online sources, street markets, unauthorized retailers, or person-to-person transactions. She advised shoppers to pay attention to where they buy and how much they pay, noting, “if is too good to be true it probably is.” That wording is reproduced as it appears in CBP’s release.
- Consider whether the seller is authorized and whether the transaction offers meaningful recourse if the instrument is not as represented.
- Treat an unusually low price as a reason to investigate further, not as proof of a bargain.
- Do not treat appearance, feel, or a seller’s claim as an authentication method. The cited reports do not provide a serial-number lookup or a visual authentication checklist.
How does this compare with CBP’s broader counterfeit seizures?
The following CBP figures describe nationwide intellectual-property-rights seizures in fiscal year 2023, not the Gibson guitar shipment:
Rank #2
- Epiphone LockTone Tune-O-Matic bridge and LockTone Stop Bar tailpiece
- Kalamazoo headstock
- Grover Rotomatic 18:1 gear ratio tuners
- Mahogany body with figured maple veneer
- A premium Gig bag is included.
| Measure | CBP-reported FY2023 figure |
|---|---|
| Shipments containing goods that violated intellectual-property rights | 19,724 |
| Counterfeit goods seized | Nearly 23 million |
| Hypothetical genuine MSRP of those goods | More than $2.7 billion |
| Share of counterfeit seizures attributed to goods from China and Hong Kong | 46% |
| Share of the hypothetical value attributed to goods from China and Hong Kong | 84% |
These national statistics provide context for CBP’s enforcement activity; they should not be read as additional figures for the guitars or as evidence that this shipment came from a particular country.
Quick Recap
Sources
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection, November 26, 2024 — seizure announcement, valuation, participants, consumer warning, and FY2023 statistics.
- Associated Press, November 29, 2024 — independent report on the seizure and information not disclosed at publication.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
