EU warns against flood of counterfeit goods

Last year, EU customs officials seized 250 million articles infringing intellectual property rights. Compared to 2005 figures - when 75 million products ended in the hands of border authorities – it represents an overall 330 percent increase.

Traditionally, fake cigarettes outnumber any other smuggled product, as they account for 60 percent of all seized goods. Over 156 million packets, an equivalent of 3 billion single cigarettes were seized last year, with potential losses in customs duties and taxes estimated at €460 million.

"Health and safety is a big issue," the commission warned, referring to the illicit trade of cigarettes as well as to a rising influx of pharmaceutical products. Medicines such as Viagra or anti-cholesterol remedies have shown a "particularly worrying" increase – from 500,000 items in 2005 to 2.5 million in 2006.

Only counterfeit food and computer equipment showed a decline in the amount seized.

China remains the number one source for counterfeit and pirated goods, accounting for 86 percent of all seized articles. If broken down by sector, India is the main source when it comes to medicines, Turkey dominates in the food sector and Malaysia has taken over the electrical equipment field.

But it is becoming increasingly difficult to identify the country where fake goods are manufactured, as criminals are changing routes and the goods are not shipped directly to the intended market.

In addition, the fight against pirated products has been complicated by booming internet sales – something that has boosted postal and air traffic.

"I encourage all stakeholders to continue to cooperate and take actions at all appropriate levels: business, national customs administrations, police and other enforcement authorities", EU commissioner Kovacs said.

"International customs cooperation with our major trading partners, in particularly China and India needs to be further implemented."