In 2012, customs authorities of the European Union seized counterfeit products worth approximately one billion euros, mostly from China, the European Commission announced.
The majority of the goods consisted of cigarettes, accounting for 30 percent of all seized products, followed by packaging materials at 9.84 percent, and clothing at 8.51 percent.
Last year, China was the largest exporter of counterfeit products, with a share of 64.5 percent of the total amount, the Commission stated in its announcement.
Hong Kong was the main source of counterfeit electronic cigarettes and their liquid refills, while Bulgaria supplied packaging materials.
“Customs is the first line of defense for the European Union against counterfeit products that undermine legitimate businesses. This report demonstrates the intensity and importance of the work carried out by customs authorities in this area. I will continue to insist on even greater protection of intellectual property rights in Europe, through our work with international partners, industry, and member states,” said Algirdas Šemeta, European Commissioner for Taxation and Customs in the announcement.
In addition to cigarettes and other goods, the seized items included more than 700,000 counterfeit medicines and health products such as condoms.
The majority of the seized counterfeit goods arrived by postal packages, about 60 percent, while 18 percent were sent by air, and 8 percent by courier service.
Compared to 2011, the quantity of seized goods last year decreased from 115 to 40 million pieces. However, the number of cases remained unchanged – exceeding 90,000, while the retail value of the seized goods amounted to nearly one billion euros.
