Seizures with a value of goods amounting to 36 million euros; corresponds to a sixfold increase in confiscated goods.
Vienna (OTS) – In 2023, customs in Austria uncovered 7,072 cases of product piracy and initiated 14,061 procedures. As a result, a total of 194,165 counterfeit items were seized. This shows how determined and efficient customs action is against brand and product piracy. These measures not only led to the confiscation of counterfeit goods worth almost 36 million euros, but also strengthened industries particularly affected by trademark infringements. According to a 2022 study by the European Observatory for Infringement of Intellectual Property Rights (EUIPO), these sectors account for 29.8% of all jobs in Austria and contribute 44.2% to gross domestic product.
“In some countries, entire industries are involved in the production of cheap copies. Counterfeiters and their “companies” now work like well-organized companies on an industrial scale. The results of last year clearly show how crucial our customs efforts are in the fight against product piracy. I would like to thank all customs officers for their hard work and commitment. Our fight against product piracy will continue tirelessly to protect our economy, our health and our environment,” said Finance Minister Magnus Brunner.
Success through improved risk analysis
In 2023, Austrian customs made 7,072 product piracy arrests, an increase of 77% compared to the previous year. In terms of seized items (194,165), an increase of 586% was achieved compared to 2022. The increase in cases is due to increased control activities, especially in postal traffic. The improvement of risk analysis and risk assessment also contributed significantly to the increase in the number of intercepts and the number of counterfeit goods confiscated, especially at Vienna Airport.
The challenge of e-commerce
Internet trading poses a particular challenge, as counterfeits are increasingly being put into circulation. Austrian customs has made a significant contribution to effectively combating this type of product piracy through targeted checks on postal traffic and increased surveillance at Vienna Airport. In 2023, 6,973 shipments containing counterfeits ordered online were seized in postal traffic alone. That’s around 99% of all shipments that contained counterfeits. However, due to the small size of the postal items, “only” 17,864 counterfeit items were confiscated.
The situation in the area of counterfeit medicines remains alarming. Although a decrease of 40% was recorded compared to the previous year, the number of counterfeit and illegal medicines imported into Austria remains worryingly high, with 6,734 shipments and 801,863 pieces of various medicines. These products, which are not only economically damaging but also potentially life-threatening, pose a significant threat to public health.
Extraordinary seizures: tens of thousands of counterfeit accessories and cell phone items
At Vienna Airport, customs officers seized around two tons of counterfeit goods while checking air cargo in mid-January 2023. In 73 boxes that were supposed to be transported from China to Poland via Austria, the customs authorities found 44,830 counterfeit products of various product groups and brands. These included, for example, 14,564 counterfeit sunglasses, 23,060 cell phone accessories, 1,640 pairs of sports shoes and 308 luxury handbags.
Customs employees uncovered a similar case during a special inspection in September 2023. The shipment came from China and was supposed to be transported to Poland. Over 10,000 cell phone covers, 1,372 smart watches and more than 3,000 key fobs were found.
During another risk-oriented focus check, customs officers discovered a total of 21,744 counterfeit branded products in 344 boxes. The six shipments from Hong Kong were also scheduled to continue to Poland and included a wide range of electronics, watches and fashion accessories. The goods were confiscated and destroyed under customs supervision.
During an inspection of goods by employees of the Vienna customs office, more than 15,000 slippers and 9,000 backpacks were found with suspected violations of the rights of a well-known sporting goods manufacturer. The goods entered the European Union in the seaport of Hamburg and were taken by truck to Vienna for customs clearance. The shipment, which weighed a total of almost ten tons, was destroyed under customs supervision.
Photos: https://bit.ly/4cGvAME
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