Counterfeit auto parts entering U.S. supply chain

Counterfeit auto parts are on the rise in the United States. The Automotive Anti-Counterfeiting Council is looking to draw attention to how these auto parts are entering the country and their impact on the supply chain, as reported by Ratchet+Wrench.

In fiscal 2024, U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized over 211,000 counterfeit parts, which is double the number seized the previous year. However, it’s likely that the number of counterfeit parts coming in is actually much larger.

“We truly believe that the numbers are greater than what they report because they only know what they see,” said Bob Stewart, president of the Automotive Anti-Counterfeiting Council and global brand protection manager at General Motors. “This is an illicit trade, so by nature, it's in the black market, so you really don't know what you're up against.”

Demand is particularly high for airbags, due to Takata airbags being under the largest recall in U.S. history—but other maintenance parts like spark plugs, fuel injectors, key fobs, tire pressure sensors, backup sensors, and more are prone to being counterfeit too.

Most counterfeit parts are coming in from Asia, including China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Many use drop-ship facilities, which may make the product appear to ship from the U.S., but is actually coming from a foreign seller before entering a U.S. warehouse to be distributed. They’re typically sold online, even on big platforms like eBay or Facebook, and are sent in small parcels for cheaper shipping.

With counterfeit parts having become more prevalent since the COVID-19 pandemic, the Automotive Anti-Counterfeiting Council has warned auto repair shops to be vigilant of what supply chains they utilize. The council recommends purchasing parts directly from dealers, distributors, or large-chain auto parts retailers.