Archive · 22 Aug 2026
US Customs Seizes Counterfeit Camel Cigarettes Worth $404,842
US customs officers found a large shipment of fake Camel cigarettes at an airport.
The shipment contained 2,250 cartons.
It had travelled from Singapore through Japan before arriving in the United States.
It was supposed to go to an address in Miami.
Officers noticed that the boxes and cigarette markings looked unusual.
The company that makes Camel cigarettes checked the products and said they were fake.
The shipment was officially seized on August 14.
Officials said fake cigarettes may contain unsafe ingredients and can avoid taxes.
They also said counterfeit sales can hurt businesses and help criminal groups.
US customs officers seized 2,250 cartons of counterfeit Camel cigarettes at Washington Dulles International Airport.
The shipment arrived July 11 from Singapore via Japan and was destined for Miami.
Officers became suspicious after noticing unusual logos, markings and an unusual shipping route.
R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company confirmed that the cigarettes were counterfeit, leading to their formal seizure on August 14.
US authorities said counterfeit goods threaten tax revenue, trademark owners and consumer health.
- Who
- US Customs and Border Protection officers, with authentication by R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company.
- What
- The authorities seized 2,250 cartons of counterfeit Camel Yellow cigarettes.
- When
- The shipment arrived on July 11 and was formally seized on August 14; the year was not specified.
- Where
- Washington Dulles International Airport in Washington, United States; the shipment was destined for Miami.
- Why
- Officers suspected the products were counterfeit because of unusual markings, logo design and shipping route, and the products posed potential tax and health risks.
- Seized goods
- 2,250 cartons of counterfeit Camel cigarettes
- Declared contents
- 45 boxes labelled “Camel Yellow Cigarettes,” with 50 cartons in each box
- Estimated genuine value
- $404,842
- Shipment route
- Singapore to Japan to Washington Dulles International Airport
- Destination
- An address in Miami
- Authentication
- R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company determined that the cigarettes were counterfeit
- Formal seizure date
- August 14
- Wider enforcement figures
- During fiscal year 2025, authorities reported nearly 78.4 million shipments involving intellectual-property violations and approximately 25 million counterfeit products