Approximately 152 million fake items were detained in the European Union in 2023 (at the EU external border and in the internal market), according to a joint report by the EUIPO and the European Commission, published on 13 November 2024. The estimated value of these counterfeit goods amounted to EUR 3.4 billion, a 68% increase on 2022.
According to the report, the most common counterfeit products detained in the whole EU, were games, toys, recorded CDs/DVDs, labels/tags/stickers and packaging material, together accounting for almost nearly three-quarters of all the detained products. By shipping this cheap packaging materials separately from the valuable, unbranded goods and assembling them within the EU, infringers attempt to avoid detection.
At the EU border, the general decrease in the total estimated value (-14%) despite the higher number of detention cases (+7%) is explained by the combination of the decrease in the total number of articles detained (-27%) along with the shift towards cheaper products. The increase in the total number of articles detained in most of the product categories, in addition to the increase in the unitary estimated value of the detained products explains the increase of around 121% in the global estimated value of counterfeit products detained in the EU internal market.
The report is based on figures provided by police, customs, and market surveillance authorities from EU Member States in 2023 and published today by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Taxation and Customs Union (DG TAXUD) and the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO). This annual report offers a unique insight into the efforts of EU enforcers to protect intellectual property rights (IPR) at both the EU border and within the internal market. The annual report serves as a tool for EU policy makers and enforcement authorities, providing insight into the scope of IPR infringement in the EU.
Ten Member States (Italy, France, Romania, Spain, Netherlands, Bulgaria, Germany, Hungary, Belgium, and Greece) accounted for almost 98 % of the total number of fake items detained in 2023 in the whole EU. Italy accounted for over 74 % of the total number of fake items, and for over 58 % in terms of estimated value.
As in previous years, China continues to be the main source of counterfeit goods entering the EU. Hong Kong, China, and Türkiye follow closely behind, with the most detained categories being respectively labels/tags/stickers and clothing. Postal and express courier services remain the most common means of transport for counterfeit goods, highlighting the need for increased vigilance in these areas.
This joint report aims to provide valuable insights into IPR infringement in the EU, enabling enforcement authorities to develop targeted countermeasures to combat the issue effectively. By examining the data, policymakers can also substantiate their priorities and policies with evidence-based information.
More information
Report on the EU enforcement of intellectual property rights in 2022
Report on the EU enforcement of intellectual property rights in 2021
Report on the EU enforcement of intellectual property rights in 2020