According to a new report from Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the European Union Intellectual Property Office global trade in counterfeit goods remains a major threat to economies, consumers and supply chains worldwide.
Based on the latest available data, counterfeit goods accounted for an estimated USD 467 billion in global trade in 2021. Since then, the same underlying patterns and risks have continued to drive the global counterfeit trade.
Clothing, footwear, and leather goods remained among the most affected sectors, accounting jointly for 62% of seized counterfeit goods.
At the same time, the report finds that counterfeiters are expanding into new sectors reaching nearly every aspect of daily life. Hazardous fakes, including automotive parts, medicines, cosmetics, toys and food were increasingly prevalent, posing serious risks to consumer health and safety.
While China remains the dominant source of counterfeit goods, accounting for 45% of all reported seizures in 2021, other countries from Asia, the Middle East and Latin America are also involved in counterfeit trade.
Counterfeiters are becoming savvy at quickly producing fake versions of in-demand products, advertising online and taking advantage of less scrutinised shipping methods; around 65 percent of seizures involve small parcels and mail, showing a shift toward distribution channels that offer speed, convenience, and lower risk of inspection.
To tackle this worldwide threat, the report calls for continued monitoring and more coordinated responses, including real-time information sharing among customs, police, financial intelligence units, and market surveillance authorities. Stronger cooperation and exchange of best practices among trade intermediaries, postal and shipping services, free trade zones, and logistics firms, is essential in preventing the misuse of their networks.
Link: Mapping Global Trade in Fakes 2025: Global Trends and Enforcement Challenges
