A total of 20,457 pairs of the counterfeit lacquered "red sole" shoes could have brought USD 18 million if they had reached the online and underworld market in the country, according to US Customs and Border Protection officials.
"CBP maintains an aggressive and proactive posture on intercepting shipments containing counterfeit and pirated items," CBP Director of Field Operations in Los Angeles Todd C. Owen said.
Five shipments were seized at the Los Angeles/Long Beach seaport on July 27 and August 14, the CPB release said.
The vaunted French designer's shoes are worn by celebrities and royalty.
"Often available on illegitimate websites and underground outlets, counterfeit high fashion commodities multiply the illegal profits of smugglers and traffickers," the agency said.
"The public is misguided into believing they are buying an original product at a significant discount," it added.
