How to Identify Fake, Counterfeit or illegally imported Seresto

Seresto buyer’s guide

Know what to check before you buy.

Counterfeit and improperly labeled flea and tick collars can be difficult to spot. Use these seven practical checks when examining U.S. Seresto packaging.

Real packaging photographsEPA label informationMobile-friendly guide

Packaging gallery

Recognize the three Seresto collar types

These are photographs of actual tins from our store. Packaging may vary by production date; appearance alone does not prove authenticity.

For dogs over 18 lb

Seresto Large Dog

8-month protection according to label directions.

View large dog collars →

For dogs up to 18 lb

Seresto Small Dog

8-month protection according to label directions.

View small dog collars →

For cats

Seresto Cat

8-month protection according to label directions.

View cat collars →

A closer look

What to look for on the back of the tin

Back label of a genuine U.S. Seresto Small Dog tin with numbered markers on the EPA registration number, manufacturer information and directions, and the lot number and barcode

Example: Seresto Small Dog back label

This label shows the registration number, manufacturer information, barcode, storage and disposal directions, and the lot marking.

EPA registrationThis Small Dog tin shows EPA Reg. No. 11556-155, the number used on U.S. Seresto dog collars.
Manufacturer and directionsLook for “Manufactured For: Elanco US Inc,” Elanco’s phone number 1-800-255-6826, the storage and disposal section, and full English-language label information.
Lot and barcodeLook for legible printed markings. These are clues, not standalone proof of authenticity.

Important: this is a dog-collar example. The U.S. Seresto Cat collar uses a different EPA registration number, 11556-191. Addresses and packaging layouts can vary between legitimate label versions.

Illegally imported Seresto

What an illegally imported Seresto collar looks like

Seresto is also made for other countries, but those versions are approved under other countries’ rules, not registered with the U.S. EPA. Under federal pesticide law (FIFRA), selling an unregistered or misbranded pesticide in the U.S. is a violation, so a foreign-labeled Seresto sold here is illegal even if the collar inside is real.

Imported collars also come through unofficial channels, so there’s no way to know whether they were stored properly, tampered with, or counterfeit. Here’s how to tell them apart.

What to check	Legal U.S. Seresto	Illegally imported (foreign-market)
Registration	EPA Reg. No. 11556-155 (dog) or 11556-191 (cat)	No EPA number; shows another country’s approval instead, such as an EU marketing authorisation
Product name	Seresto	Seresto, or “Foresto”, the associated name used in some European countries
Language	English-language U.S. label	Another language, or a multilingual box
Pet weight	Pounds: “up to 18 lbs” / “over 18 lbs”	Kilograms, e.g. “≤ 8 kg” / “> 8 kg”
Active ingredients	Percentages: imidacloprid 10.0%, flumethrin 4.5%	Grams per collar, e.g. “1.25 g + 0.56 g”
Company & contact	“Manufactured For: Elanco US Inc.” and 1-800-255-6826	A foreign company and address, no U.S. contact number
Type of label	U.S. pesticide label with storage and disposal directions	Labelled as a veterinary medicine, often with a folded leaflet

Legal in the U.S.

What a U.S. label shows

EPA registrationEPA Reg. No. 11556-155
Weight rangeFor dogs up to 18 lbs
Active ingredientsImidacloprid 10.0% · Flumethrin 4.5%
CompanyManufactured For: Elanco US Inc.
LanguageEnglish-language label

Not legal to sell in the U.S.

Red flags on an imported label

EPA registrationNone — foreign authorisation no. instead
Weight rangeHunde / Chiens / Dogs ≤ 8 kg
Active ingredients1,25 g + 0,56 g
CompanyForeign company and address
Name“Foresto” on some boxes

Illustration of label details only, not a photo of a real product. Wording varies by country and label version.

Bayer name alone isn’t proof. Genuine U.S. collars made before Elanco took over Bayer Animal Health can carry Bayer branding with the same U.S. EPA number. The EPA registration number and English U.S. label are what matter.

Real cases

U.S. Customs · 2020

58 fake Seresto collars seized in Pittsburgh

CBP officers stopped 13 parcels shipped from China and Hong Kong containing 31 cat and 27 dog collars. The trademark holder confirmed they were counterfeit; genuine collars would have retailed for more than $3,500.

CBP news release ↗

France · lab tested

“Seresto” with no active ingredients

France’s veterinary medicines agency tested Seresto-branded collars sold cheaply online and shipped from China. They contained neither imidacloprid nor flumethrin, and the packaging was missing the product name, species, directions, batch number and manufacturer.

ANSES report ↗

U.S. EPA · 2018

$1.2 million penalty for imported, unregistered pesticides

Amazon paid $1,215,700 to settle nearly 4,000 alleged violations for selling pesticides made by foreign companies without U.S. EPA registration. The products were insect baits and chalk, not collars, but it shows how EPA treats foreign pesticides sold here.

EPA settlement ↗

FBI & IPR Center

Warning about fake collars sold online

Federal agencies warned that many Seresto-branded collars sold online were counterfeit. Reported problems include collars that don’t work, a strange smell, and pets getting sick.

IPR Center alert ↗

Found a foreign-labeled or suspect collar?

Don’t put it on your pet. Ask the seller for a refund.
Report counterfeits to the IPR Center and online fraud to the FBI at ic3.gov.
Questions about a collar: Elanco at 1-800-255-6826. If your pet reacts, remove the collar and call your veterinarian.

Seven-point checklist

7 ways to evaluate a Seresto collar

Check the EPA registration numberU.S. dog collars: 11556-155. U.S. cat collars: 11556-191. Compare the full label with EPA records.
Review the manufacturer informationCheck the Elanco name and the full product label. Do not rely on one specific address alone.
Examine print qualityElanco lists uncentered, tilted or blurry labels as warning signs. Look for clear, consistent text and legible safety information. Printing quality is only one clue.
Read the safety and disposal instructionsU.S. labeling should include appropriate warnings and storage and disposal guidance.
Inspect the inner pouch and collarThe collar should come sealed in a protective pouch, and Elanco describes it as odorless and non-greasy. Follow the label directions before use.
Look at the lot number and barcodeThey should be readable, but copied codes can appear on counterfeits too.
Verify the seller and priceBe wary of deep discounts and social-media ads. Review seller details and return policies. For authenticity concerns, contact Elanco directly.

No single visual check can guarantee a product is genuine. If you suspect a counterfeit, stop using it and contact Elanco at 1-800-255-6826 for guidance.

Questions

Frequently asked questions

How can I tell if my Seresto collar is fake?

Check the EPA registration number (11556-155 for U.S. dog collars, 11556-191 for the cat collar), the Elanco manufacturer information, print quality, the safety and disposal instructions, the inner pouch, and the lot number and barcode. Be wary of deep discounts and social-media ads. No single check proves a collar is genuine; if in doubt, contact Elanco.

What EPA number is on a genuine Seresto collar?

U.S. Seresto Small Dog and Large Dog collars show EPA Reg. No. 11556-155. The U.S. Seresto Cat collar shows EPA Reg. No. 11556-191.

Does a real Seresto collar have a smell?

Elanco describes Seresto as odorless and non-greasy. A strong chemical smell or oily feel is a reason to look more closely.

Are cheap Seresto collars on social media real?

Elanco warns that deep discounts and suspicious ads on social media or search engines are common signs of counterfeits. If a price looks too good to be true, it probably is.

What should I do if I think my Seresto is counterfeit?

Stop using it, keep the packaging and lot number, and contact Elanco at 1-800-255-6826. Problems with flea and tick products can also be reported to the National Pesticide Information Center at 1-800-858-7378.

Does Seresto have an expiration date?

The EPA does not require an expiration date on Seresto, so a missing date is not by itself a sign of a fake.

Seresto collars

Find the right collar for your pet

Shop Seresto options for small dogs, large dogs and cats. Always follow the product label for species, age and weight requirements.

Small Dog →Large Dog →Cat →

Sources

Independent retailer. Not affiliated with or endorsed by Elanco. Seresto is a trademark of Elanco or its affiliates. Product EPA registration is not a retailer license or endorsement.