Agents seize $18.6 million worth of counterfeit sunglasses

April 26, 2010

Designer tinted sunglasses are popular among those who like to stay on top of trends, but not everyone can afford the real thing. Many consumers may turn to knock-off brands for great style at low prices.

However, not all knock-offs are legal. Officials recently intercepted more than $18.6 million worth of fake designer sunglasses, according to the Daily Breeze. Some of the knock-offs included imitations of Versace, Louis Vuitton and Coach. The imposters violate copyright laws.

In an operation that lasted from March 13 to April 14, officials seized six shipments of more than 156,900 pairs of tinted sunglasses arriving in the Los Angeles and Long Beach ports from China.

"Stopping the importation of counterfeit and pirated merchandise continues to be a top priority for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)," Christopher Perry, acting director of field operations in Los Angeles, told the news provider.

Last year, the CBP seized approximately $260.7 million worth of knock off designer sunglasses.

While you don't need to head to the black market to acquire a pair of shades, tinted sunglasses are still important for maintaining eye health. According to the American Optometric Association, tinted sunglasses can guard against conditions such as cataracts.