PONTI IP

NEWS

February 5, 2019

Misuse of Small Parcels for Trade in Counterfeit Goods

The European Observatory on Infringements of Intellectual Property Rights and the OECD have just released a study of the exponential growth in the trafficking of counterfeit goods through courier services.

Specifically, 84% of shipments of counterfeit footwear, 77% of fake photographic, optical and medical products, 66% in ICT and 63% in counterfeit watches, jewellery and leather articles (handbags) correspond to seizures of postal parcels or express shipments. The huge volume of commercial operations generated by these consignments, as well as the fact that they are subject to simplified customs documentation requirements, make customs control activity very difficult.

The report acknowledges that much progress is being made in the implementation of electronic tracking mechanisms to speed up customs control of these shipments, but much remains to be done in a phenomenon that not only curtails the possibilities for economic growth and innovation, but also the well-being of consumers.

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