Counterfeit jerseys for Tebow, Rays seized by Customs

The No. 15 Denver Broncos jersey hanging on a flea market rack might look legitimate.

It might say "Tebow" on the back, and it might have a hologram.

But if you see it at a flea market for $40, think twice before shelling out cash. There's a good chance it's counterfeit, said Daniel Keefe, U.S. Customs & Border Protection spokesman.

Last week, U.S. Customs & Border Protection in Tampa seized $8,175 in counterfeit sports jerseys arriving from China and destined for Tampa Bay flea markets, Keefe said. Among the jerseys: four of Evan Longoria, two of Carl Crawford and several of Tim Tebow.

"They were good quality [counterfeits], and they had the hologram that you're supposed to have on the official garment," Keefe said. "I'm not sure if it was as good a quality hologram, but it was on there. People have the mindset that if it's on there, it's legitimate, but how many of us know what a real one looks like?"

People need to scrutinize the quality and use common sense when buying items at flea markets, Keefe said.

You might find a cheap legitimate jersey for a has-been player or for one who was traded from their team, he said. But it's unlikely you'd get such a good deal for popular jerseys like the ones worn by Tebow or Longoria.

"If it looks like it's too good of a deal, it is," Keefe said.

Tebow's No. 15 Broncos jersey is the top seller in the NFL after the former Florida Gators quarterback was drafted by Denver in April.

Longoria is an emerging star with the Tampa Bay Rays and teammate Crawford is a three-time All-Star.

Sports jerseys are only some of the counterfeit items Keefe's agency seizes each year arriving into Tampa from China.

U.S. Customs in Tampa has seized more than $600,000 in counterfeit items since Jan. 1, including: Honda motorcycle parts, Bosch high intensity lamp ballasts and items claiming to be from Hello Kitty, Coach, Gucci, Ralph Lauren, Louis Vitton and Prada.

Such items generally are of a poorer quality and could pose health and safety risks, Keefe said. The items cost owners of the trademarks their royalties and cost retailers a chance to sell legitimate merchandise.

"Given the merchandise is not manufactured under the control of the rightful owner of the brand name, counterfeit merchandise is not subject to various requirements and testing as is legitimate merchandise," a U.S. Customs news release states. "A major area of concern with clothing, such as these counterfeit jerseys, is flammability."