The U.S. Customs Service is authorized to seize counterfeit goods. However, the owner of the trademark must first record a valid U.S. trademark registration with Customs. For marks which are so recorded, U.S. Customs is authorized to seize the counterfeit goods, and provide notice to the trademark owner of the counterfeits. Destruction after seizure is mandatory unless the trademark owner consents to giving the goods to charity after removing the counterfeit marks from the goods.
