Counterfeit Goods in the EU: €3.8 Billion Seized in 2024
Last year, EU authorities seized more than 112 million fake products—from knock-off perfumes and toys to pirated retro games and even counterfeit vaping devices. The total value? A record-breaking €3.8 billion. These numbers, shared by the European Commission and EUIPO, show that while fewer items were caught compared to 2023, fakes are smarter more expensive.
From Toys to Tech: What’s Changing?
Counterfeits aren’t just cheap knock-offs anymore. They’re moving into higher-value, higher-risk categories—think digital software, e-cigarettes, and cosmetics. That’s why, despite fewer seizures overall, the value of seized goods (and therefore the damage caused to ripped-off companies) has never been higher. Most of the action is concentrated in Italy, Spain, and France, accounting for the lion’s share of the haul.
A New Way to Track the Fight
As a measure to counteract this phenomenon, EUIPO launched the new IP Enforcement Detentions Dashboard—an interactive tool that lets anyone explore the data in a few clicks. It’s designed to be simple, transparent, and accessible, whether you’re a policymaker, a business, or just curious about how fake goods move across Europe.
Counterfeits don’t just hurt sales— they fall under unfair competition and can damage your brand long-term.
Our team works directly with customs authorities and can help you protect your products before they hit the grey market. Contact us to learn how we can support you!
Sources
Text: ‘European Union Seizes 112 Million Counterfeit Items Worth €3.8 Billion in 2024’. EUIPO, https://www.euipo.europa.eu/en/news/european-union-seizes-112-million-counterfeit-items-worth-euro3-8-billion-in-2024. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
Photo: 'Delivery Man carrying Boxes' by Tima Miroshnichenko: https://www.pexels.com/photo/delivery-man-carrying-boxes-6169670/