EU counterfeit figures show boom in EU cosmetics counterfeit smuggling
The boom in counterfeit cosmetics and perfumes being smuggled into the EU is intensifying, according to the latest figures from the European Commission. It says EU customs officials seized 1.5 million counterfeit personal care products in 2006, up 128% on 2005. Of the 2006 haul, 37% came from China, 19% from Indonesia, 16% from the Ukraine, 10% from the United Arab Emirates, 4% from Turkey, 1% from Hong Kong, 1% from Belarus, 3% were actually made in an EU member state - Hungary - and 9% came from other countries.
The boom in counterfeit cosmetics and perfumes being smuggled into the EU is intensifying, according to the latest figures from the European Commission. It says EU customs officials seized 1.5 million counterfeit personal care products in 2006, up 128% on 2005. Of the 2006 haul, 37% came from China, 19% from Indonesia, 16% from the Ukraine, 10% from the United Arab Emirates, 4% from Turkey, 1% from Hong Kong, 1% from Belarus, 3% were actually made in an EU member state - Hungary - and 9% came from other countries.
The Commission noted that counterfeiters were varying their tactics, saying: “Changes in the routes used by criminals to trade in fake goods, the use of the internet and the transport of small quantities by air or postal traffic make customs' job even more challenging.”
EU customs Commissioner László Kovács said: "Counterfeiting continues to constitute a dangerous threat for our health, safety and the economy”.