In 2018, the number of interceptions of counterfeit products imported into the EU increased, according to the European Commission's annual report on customs actions, published on Thursday 19 September.
The report shows that the total number of cases in the EU has increased from 57,433 in 2017 (see EUROPE 12105/14) to 69,354 in 2018. The Commission explains this by the increase in the number of small parcels in express and postal traffic.
In all, nearly 27 million items infringing intellectual property rights, with a market value of around €740 million were retained in 2018, a figure that is nevertheless lower than in 2017 when 31 million counterfeit items were seized.
This year, cigarettes top the list of the most frequently seized items (15%), followed by toys (14%), packaging material (9%) and clothing (8%).
China remains the main country of origin of counterfeit products infringing intellectual property rights, while North Macedonia is the main provenance for counterfeit alcoholic beverages. Turkey is the top country for perfumes and cosmetics.
See the report: http://bit.ly/2kUbCJq (Original version in French by Marion Fontana)