US border control seize thousands of ‘fake AirPods’ – before realising they are OnePlus Buds

‘Hey, give those back!' the official OnePlus USA account replied on Twitter

(OnePlus)

US Borders and customs have seized 2000 headphones made by Chinese technology giant OnePlus, believing them to be fake versions of Apple’s AirPods.

At the end of August, a press release states, customs officers confiscated the headphones.

“If the merchandise were genuine”, it says, the suggested retail price “would have been $398,000”.

The merchandise was, in fact, genuine, and the retail price would have been approximately $160,000 – the cost of 2000 $79 (£79) OnePlus Buds.

Border Protection also tweeted an accompanying photo, which clearly displays the brand’s name and logo.

“That’s not an Apple”, the CBP official account tweeted.

“Hey, give those back!” the official OnePlus USA account replied.

Many others replied to the tweet, mocking the agency for its mistake.

“Those are clearly labeled as not being an Apple product”, said one, while another asked the agency to “Please don't seize my phone when I re-enter the country”. 

In 2018, OnePlus only had a two per cent market share in the US, but has made headlines with its flagship smartphones that aim to offer the same features as more expensive competitors at a lower price.

Recently, it announced the OnePlus Nord, a budget smartphone it had teased for an extended period of time.

“CBP Officers are protecting the American public from various dangers on a daily basis,” said Troy Miller, Director of CBP’s New York Field Operations, in a statement.

“The interception of these counterfeit earbuds is a direct reflection of the vigilance and commitment to mission success by our CBP Officers daily.”  

The Independent has reached out to OnePlus and US Customers and Border Protection for comment.