MADRID, Oct 22 — Over 196 million counterfeit goods were seized in the European Union (EU) in 2025, the highest number on record.
The German Press Agency (dpa) reported that the number of items seized within the single market and at external borders rose by around 67 per cent compared with the previous year, according to
The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), based in Alicante, Spain, said that the estimated retail value of the seized goods was just over €6.3 billion (RM28.84 billion), also a record high.
In its annual report published on Thursday, the EUIPO said the figure stood at just under €3.9 billion (RM17.85 billion).
The product groups most frequently seized included CDs and DVDs, software, toys, and labels, tags, and stickers. Cigarettes and clothing also ranked high.
China was the most frequently recorded country of origin, accounting for more than 40 per cent of the seized goods, followed by Turkiye at 18 per cent.
The high seizure figures may reflect increased activity by criminal counterfeiting gangs, but could also indicate more intensive and successful checks by the relevant authorities.
It added that efforts to combat counterfeiting remain hampered by diverse transport routes and limited enforcement capacity.
The growth of online trade, with goods frequently dispatched via express and postal services, also poses major challenges for the authorities.
EUIPO said new, forward-looking measures, closer cooperation, and modern technologies and tools are crucial to protecting intellectual property and maintaining Europe’s economic strength.
