A new analysis by Kroll, a division of Duff & Phelps, a global leader in risk mitigation and investigative services shows, China registered the highest percentage of suspected counterfeit goods detained and subsequently not released at EU borders. It is followed by Hong Kong, Turkey, Vietnam, Syria and India.

The firm’s review of EU customs enforcement data reveals that after seized watches, whose collective retail value increased by 56 per cent from 2016 to 2017, fake clothing was the highest seized with collective value (€66m), up 46 per cent). Jewellery and other accessories came in third place (€58m), up a massive 562 per cent since 2016, followed by bogus bags, collectively valued at €52m.

Kroll says while the number of customs seizures have decreased overall, it has seen an increase in counterfeiting activity and was involved in the seizure of over €50m worth of counterfeit goods in 2017 close to where they were produced, suggesting that efforts to track and seize bogus goods in the country of manufacture before they reach customs are having a positive impact. With criminal gangs becoming more sophisticated in transporting illicit goods across borders, manufacturers and retailers still face a difficult battle against counterfeit goods coming in from all over the world.