Mapping Global Trade in Fakes 2025

This section analyses counterfeit trade in greater detail, on an industry basis, with attention to trade routes. The role of the main provenance countries is examined to better highlight industry-specific aspects.

Clothing articles are among the most frequently counterfeited items. All types of clothing are counterfeited, including clothing, accessories (hats, scarves, headscarves), and a large number of brands are infringed upon. Seizure data clearly show that counterfeiters quickly adapt to fashion trends to meet consumer needs.

The analysis of the main provenance economies shows that China, Türkiye, and Hong Kong (China) remained the leading suppliers of counterfeit textile products in 2020-21. However, Figure 3.1 also reveals that new players have emerged. Notably, Colombia and Mexico ranked 5^th and 7^th, respectively, among the source economies of counterfeit textile products. This figure indicates a decline in the role of Asian countries (other than China and Hong Kong (China), which was more prominent in the past, in favour of Gulf countries and, more recently, Latin American countries.

The GTRIC methodology reveals that the sources of counterfeit clothing products are numerous and spread across the world, indicating a high likelihood that countries such as Bangladesh, Lebanon, Syrian Arab Republic, and Türkiye are key sources. A number of African economies (Senegal, Tanzania, Benin, and Nigeria) and European economies (Albania and Bulgaria in a lesser extent) are also likely sources, as is one country from the Caucasus region (Georgia).

Figure 3.2 shows the main country pairs of provenance and destination for counterfeit clothing products. It indicates that, in terms of seized value, the flows of counterfeit textile products are dominated by exports from Türkiye to European countries, such as France and Bulgaria, as well as exports from China to European countries.

As shown in Figure 3.3, postal services (48%) and express courier (23%) are the most commonly used means of transport for delivering counterfeit clothing products. They are followed by road transport (15%), whose use has increased in recent years. Road transport is widely used for shipments originating from Türkiye to European countries and for intra-European flows.

This product category has a broad range of counterfeit items, including luxury shoes to the latest trendy sneakers or sandals. There are also numerous brands whose IP rights are violated. As with the clothing category, the trade in counterfeit footwear reflects ever-changing consumer tastes and preferences.

During 2020-21, trade in counterfeit shoes was dominated by exports from China, Türkiye, and Hong Kong (China). Nearly 83% of the seized counterfeit shoes originated in these three countries. In terms of value of the seized goods, the share of the three countries amounted to 94%. Figure 3.4 lists the main source economies. It illustrates the emergence of Colombia as a supplier of counterfeit footwear, a development which should be monitored to determine whether it represents a structural shift in suppliers.

Figure 3.5, which shows the main provenance-destination pairs for trade in counterfeit footwear, indicates that a quarter of the seized value of counterfeit shoes flowed from China to the United States. The share of flows from China or Hong Kong (China) to European countries was also significant.

The trade in counterfeit footwear is characterised by the extensive use of postal services for the delivery of goods to destination countries. Some 70% of seized counterfeit footwear was transported through this channel (Figure 3.6). Seizure data also indicate that these goods were almost exclusively shipped in small parcels, as 90% of the seizures contained fewer than ten items, and more than 67% contained only one item.

The trade in counterfeit cosmetic products is extensive and encompasses many products. This category includes perfumes, creams, personal hygiene products, makeup, toothpaste and baby care products. The counterfeits, substandard, can pose a significant threat to consumer health.

Türkiye and China were the two main provenance economies for counterfeit cosmetics in 2020-21, accounting for 92% of the number of seizures in this category. Figure 3.7, which shows the main countries of origin for the trade in counterfeit cosmetic products, indicates that in terms of seized value, China and Brazil were the most significant suppliers of the counterfeits. The situation in Brazil reflects two significant seizures of nearly 30 000 and 10 000 cosmetic products originating from this country. Customs data do not provide further information regarding the destination and transport modes used for these two large seizures.

The flows from China to European countries dominate the trade in counterfeit cosmetics in terms of seized value. Figure 3.8 also reveals some unusual flows, such as those from China to Morocco, as well as an intra-African flow from Mozambique to Swaziland.

During 2020 and 2021, the preferred mode of transport for counterfeit cosmetics was by road, which accounted for nearly 60% of customs seizures of the products. The average size of parcels containing counterfeit cosmetics was relatively large, with nearly half of these parcels containing more than ten items.

The most frequently seized counterfeit products are highly diverse and include phones and related accessories such as screens, chargers, back covers, but also TV or game controllers, batteries or cookers and hairstyling irons.

In 2020-21, China and Hong Kong (China) were the main provenance economies for counterfeit electronics goods seized and traded globally, representing 93% of global customs seizures of this category (Figure 3.10). Singapore and the United Arab Emirates, the third and fourth largest provenance countries, played relatively small roles.

Figure 3.11, which shows the main provenance-destination pairs in the trade of counterfeit electronic products, indicates that a quarter of the seized value of these products was destined for Germany from China.

The United States was also a major destination for counterfeit electronic products, with 22% of the seized value of these goods from China destined for the United States, and 17% coming from Hong Kong (China).

During 2020 and 2021, counterfeit electronic products were primarily transported via postal services, with standard mail accounting for more than half of the seizures in this category and express courier representing 21%.