On the surface, counterfeit goods pose a minor nuisance — a cheap bag made of fake leather that falls apart, or a phone charger that only works for a week. But these products, often sold at bargain-basement prices, create a tangible risk for countless Americans every day. While e-commerce has changed the way we shop, it has opened the floodgates for deceptive goods that threaten consumer health and safety — not to mention serious economic damage for American businesses.

The White House recently issued an executive order promising to crack down on international counterfeiting and intellectual property theft. For this commitment to be effective, it is crucial that law enforcement have access to the tools needed to stop these illegal shipments from ever reaching our country in the first place.