Seizures of counterfeit goods double within EU borders

During 2023, more than 138 million counterfeit goods with an estimated value of EUR 2.7 billion were seized within the borders of the European Union (EU). These are the highest figures in the last 12 years and represent an increase in the number of items of 106% over the previous year. If what is measured is not the number of items seized, but their estimated value, the figure is even more alarming, since the growth compared to 2022 is even higher, 122%.

These are data from the report on the enforcement of Intellectual Property rights in the EU, which is carried out by the Commission together with the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO). The authors explain that the increase in these figures reflects the growing effectiveness of collaboration between the police forces of the various Member States. They also highlight the success of several significant operations that have achieved exceptional results in the fight against IP infringement within the framework of the European Multidisciplinary Platform against Criminal Threats (EMPACT).

Just six Member States alone accounted for 97% of the seizures, with Italy accounting for by far the largest number of counterfeit products seized, with 80% of the total. This was followed by France, Romania, Spain, the Netherlands and Hungary, with percentages ranging from 1% to 7% each.

In contrast, the situation is quite different at the EU borders, where the number of counterfeit goods seized fell by 27% compared to the previous year, the lowest level in the last decade. The estimated value of items seized at the border also decreased by 14% compared to 2022. The figures reflect a gradually declining trend over the past four years. Regarding the origin of these items, the majority come from China, accounting for 56% of the total, followed by Hong Kong and Turkey, with 9% and 8%, respectively.

Most of the counterfeit goods arriving in the EU from abroad are brought in by sea and road transport. However, they are also brought in by post and express courier.

Finally, as regards the type of counterfeit products with the highest number of seizures, games, toys and recorded CDs and DVDs top the list, followed by packaging material, labels, tags and stickers.

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