Counterfeit and dangerous products: EU customs confiscates goods worth around 3.4 billion €
In 2023, EU customs stopped the import of 152 million counterfeit and potentially dangerous goods worth almost 3.4 billion euros into the European single market. This represents an increase of 77% compared to the previous year. The most frequently confiscated items include games, toys and packaging materials. This data emerges from the joint report by the European Commission and the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) on the enforcement of intellectual property rights by the EU.
Need for action
The report underlines the growing need for continued action against counterfeiters. With the increasing volume of trade, particularly in e-commerce, EU customs authorities are under increasing pressure.
Reform of the customs union increases product safety
Counterfeit goods not only undermine legitimate businesses, but also pose a threat to the health and safety of EU consumers. For this reason, the Commission has presented a proposal for the most ambitious and comprehensive reform of the EU Customs Union since its creation in 1968. It establishes an EU customs authority, a new EU Customs Data Platform, and equips EU customs authorities with a stronger framework and new tools.