U.S. Customs Seizing Record Numbers of Counterfeit Wireless Headphones Since AirPods Pro Launched

[MacRumors]

The surging popularity of AirPods has reportedly resulted in record numbers of counterfeit wireless headphones being seized at the U.S. border.

According to The Information's Wayne Ma, roughly 360,000 counterfeit wireless headphones with a retail value of $62.2 million were confiscated in the first nine months of the U.S. government's fiscal year, based on data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection. By comparison, the report claims 295,000 counterfeits with a retail value of $61.7 million were seized at the U.S. border in the entire 2020 fiscal year.

U.S. Customs told The Information that 80% of all counterfeit products coming into the U.S. were from mainland China or Hong Kong. While it's unclear how many of the seized counterfeit headphones were AirPods, U.S. Customs said seizures have increased 50% in the past five years as products such as Apple's earbuds have gained popularity.

The retail value of counterfeit wireless headphones seized by U.S. Customs appears to have skyrocketed following the release of AirPods Pro in October 2019.

MacRumors shared a comparison of real and fake AirPods Pro back in 2019:

The Information examined counterfeit AirPods Pro sold in Hong Kong in December, noting that they had a genuine Apple serial number and were physically indistinguishable from legitimate AirPods Pro, and even had functional active noise cancellation and Transparency mode features. The report claims one of the only ways to determine that the AirPods were fake was by looking up their firmware version, which was incorrect.

Article Link: U.S. Customs Seizing Record Numbers of Counterfeit Wireless Headphones Since AirPods Pro Launched

 

[dguisinger]

I suppose thats better than when they seized a different brand's product that wasn't pretending to be made by Apple

 

[NMBob]

Do they work better?

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

This can be prevented if Apple decided to work with the U.S. customs closely.

Here to help!

How to check if AirPods are genuine | AppleInsider

AirPods Pro, in particular, are common targets for counterfeiters and some of them look exactly like the real things — but they never sound like them. Here's how to be sure you're getting the genuine article.

appleinsider.com

 

[Apple_Robert]

Glad to see the hurt put on criminals.

 

[Yokon54]

Do they work better?

AirPods work great.

 

[jmgregory1]

It’s not a surprise that this is happening. Counterfeit AirPods have a much bigger market than what we used to hear about - like Gucci bags, Rolex’s and the like. They’re also disposable products, even when they’re actual Apple products, so it’s easier to get repeat sales. And if they have similar sound quality and work similarly, it can be an easy decision when they’re a fraction of the price of the real thing.

 

[NMBob]

AirPods work great.

That's what my grand-nephew said. I'd have to wear something that sticks in my ear for a while to see if I would get used to it. I think I'd be more of a AirPods Max kinda person.

 

[railroader777]

This can be prevented if Apple decided to work with the U.S. customs closely.

Nothing can prevent this.

 

[rpmurray]

I like how the Customs Service determines the estimated retail value of the counterfeits by using the price of the Apple product and not how much the counterfeits actually sell for.

 

[hrMACnstuff]

they must not have made the required payment to the right folks in Washington.

 

[IIGS User]

I would just lose something like that anyway.

Sticking with my Bose QC35's (not the II's, I got the old model after the new ones came out to save some bones).

I use these mostly when riding the lawn tractor or on flights. I can SO see one of these ear buds going into the mower deck and coming out the most expensive mulch by volume I ever purchased.

On top of it, my ears are full of waxy nastiness....

 

[rpmurray]

The report claims one of the only ways to determine that the AirPods were fake was by looking up their firmware version, which was incorrect.

Or you could look at the metal ring at the bottom of the stem which appears to be completely different on the counterfeit.

 

[sw1tcher]

According to The Information's Wayne Ma, roughly 360,000 counterfeit wireless headphones with a retail value of $62.2 million were confiscated in the first nine months of the U.S. government's fiscal year, based on data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

These counterfeits were retailing for $173? 🤣

 

[robjulo]

Do these numbers include Customs stealing 2000 pairs of One Plus Buds back in 2020?

 

[sw1tcher]

The report claims one of the only ways to determine that the AirPods were fake was by looking up their firmware version, which was incorrect.

U.S. Customs helping counterfeiters fix their mistakes. 🤣

1) But a real pair of AirPods Pro
2) Get firmware version from it
3) Use that firmware version in your counterfeit product to avoid U.S. Customs detection
4) Profit

 

[npmacuser5]

Sum up the fix in two words, Distribution Channel. If a product does not pass through a certified Distribution Channel, it is fake. The businesses know they are purchasing fake products. They are buying from and selling outside of the approved channels. We the consumers need to be aware of to good a price and how did it get here for every product. Why when it comes to important products, like Apple products. I will only buy directly from Apple or trusted sellers like Best Buy. Price is only one factor in the value of any product.

 

[W2u7Yw4HaD]

I like how the Customs Service determines the estimated retail value of the counterfeits by using the price of the Apple product and not how much the counterfeits actually sell for.

All customs do that with drug busts also.. They like to show bigger numbers.. No surprise there..

 

[Morgenland]

It’s not a surprise that this is happening. Counterfeit AirPods have a much bigger market than what we used to hear about - like Gucci bags, Rolex’s and the like. They’re also disposable products, even when they’re actual Apple products, so it’s easier to get repeat sales. And if they have similar sound quality and work similarly, it can be an easy decision when they’re a fraction of the price of the real thing.

Gregory, does it depend on your wallet whether you support and like criminal organizations?
When Americans applaud product pirates, they abolish themselves, dear Gregory.

 

[sw1tcher]

Sum up the fix in two words, Distribution Channel. If a product does not pass through a certified Distribution Channel, it is fake. The businesses know they are purchasing fake products. They are buying from and selling outside of the approved channels.

How is fixing the distribution channel that counterfeit product sellers aren't using going to solve the counterfeit problem?

 

[soanis]

I’ve actually seen iOS respond with the actual animation when opening an OG AP case, to third party earphones that weren’t even fake AirPods.
how is that even possible??

 

[Morgenland]

I’ve actually seen iOS respond with the actual animation when opening an OG AP case, to third party earphones that weren’t even fake AirPods.
how is that even possible??

I'm sure you made a video of it. Show it to us!

 

[jmgregory1]

Gregory, does it depend on your wallet whether you support and like criminal organizations?
When Americans applaud product pirates, they abolish themselves, dear Gregory.

Not sure why you think I support counterfeit products or criminal organizations? I’m just pointing out that it’s been an easy product category for counterfeiters to go after.

 

[Morgenland]

Not sure why you think I support counterfeit products or criminal organizations? I’m just pointing out that it’s been an easy product category for counterfeiters to go after.

'it can be an easy decision' (to buy or sell them)

Not for me. Neither nor.
If I congratulate my son or daughter for buying a plagiarized product, or find it understandable or encourage them to do so, then I would have reached the lowest point of my life.

In the case described here, it will be exciting to see whether Apple succeeds in stopping parallel illegal distribution channels in China. Of course, such gangs are more difficult to detect there.
I suspect that the penalties for distribution platforms within America will have to be drastically increased. Alibaba, Aliexpress and the like can be opposed with customs as usual. If it is staffed to do so.

 

[jml1982]

AirPods work great.

Sometimes they work great. It's not a seamless experience like I thought it would be. If I pause an audio book on my phone while music is playing from my laptop over bluetooth speakers, it switches to my headphones. Super annoying.