Fashion Ranks Third in Most Seized Counterfeit Goods by EU in 2024

Clothing, accessories and perfumery and cosmetics products are among the most counterfeit products intercepted by the European Union on the continent. Of the total of 112 million items that were seized by customs authorities in 2024, with a value of €3.8 billion, clothing alone accounted for 7.5% of the total, making it the third most intercepted product.

This emerges from the latest report published by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (Euipo), which points out that last year was the second year in which the most counterfeit products were intercepted in terms of volume, behind only 2023. The figure is also 30% higher than two years ago.

In terms of value, a record high was reached in 2024, mainly due to an increase in the price of counterfeit goods, “reflecting a change in the nature and market impact of products that infringe intellectual property.“

CDs and DVDs remained the product most seized by customs authorities, accounting for 34.8% of the total, followed by toys. Within the fashion sector, clothing came third, accounting for 7.5% of the total, while accessories accounted for another 6.25% and perfumery and cosmetics for 3.04%.

Within fashion, clothing is the product most intercepted by the EU

Of the total number of counterfeit goods, 19.7 million products were intercepted at the borders, i.e. before entering EU territory, 12.25% more than the previous year. In this type of interceptions, garments occupy the first position, possibly, explains Euipo, due to the “large volume” of articles. Specifically, clothing accounted for 16.8% of all counterfeit goods intercepted at borders, well above the 6.18% they accounted for in 2023.

The remaining items, a total of 98 million counterfeit goods, were intercepted once already inside the EU market, down on the previous year’s figures, although 50% more than in 2022. In this type of interceptions, clothing accounted for 5.69% of the total, surpassed by accessories, which came in third place with 6.9%. Perfumery and cosmetics, meanwhile, account for another 3.07% of the total.

In general terms, China is once again the main origin of the goods intercepted by the EU customs authorities, with up to 42.4% of the total of products coming from the Asian giant. Turkey is in second position, with 18.4% of the total, and is the main origin of counterfeit fashion, while the United Arab Emirates is the third main country of origin, with 5.46%, especially due to personal care products.