The US Customs and Border Protection agency claims to have intercepted 2,000 counterfeit Apple AirPods at JFK, except all the ones they show are clearly legitimate OnePlus Buds.
OnePlus Buds may resemble AirPods, but their packaging is clear
A shipment of AirPods and AirPods Pro rival, OnePlus Buds bound for Nevada has been intercepted at JFK by US Customs and Border Protection. Perhaps proving that Apple's designs inspire other companies, CBP seized these on the grounds that they were counterfeit AirPods.
THAT'S NOT AN --
-- CBP (@CBP) September 14, 2020
CBP officers at JFK Airport recently seized 2,000 counterfeit Apple AirPods from Hong Kong, valued at $398K had they been genuine.
Details via @CBPNewYorkCity: https://t.co/XMgjkfT56i pic.twitter.com/Ofn9REJ9ZB
Tweeting about the seizure, CBP said "that's not an Apple," which is undeniably true. However, the agency also put out a press release boasting about its "vigilance," and including photographs of the haul. Every photo shown and captioned as being "counterfeit Apple AirPod Earbuds" is unmistakeably a OnePlus Bud instead.
Alongside the comment about "vigilance," the agency also said it had a "commitment to mission success." However, the goods were seized on August 31, the press release was issued on September 11, and the tweet was done on September 14, all seemingly without reading the name on the boxes.
US Customs and Border Protection has not commented since the mistake was pointed out. OnePlus, however, has, in a tweeted reply to the announcement, saying "Hey, give those back!"
Hey, give those back!
— OnePlus USA (@OnePlus_USA) September 14, 2020