Punishable
Customs and consumer advocates warn against counterfeit jerseys for the World Cup
June 1, 2026 – 1:43 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
World Cup, European Championship or Bundesliga: For many fans, the jersey of their favorite team is simply part of it. But dubious providers take advantage of the high demand, especially around major football tournaments.
Official fan items often cost a lot of money. That’s why many fans are looking for cheaper alternatives on the Internet. Now customs are warning against buying counterfeit World Cup jerseys at ridiculous prices. A spokeswoman told t-online that the purchase of such items could be punishable if it is done for commercial purposes. But you should also be careful when buying a counterfeit product for private purposes. According to customs, business transactions can occur if they are ordered via the Internet.
“Anyone who illegally possesses or puts counterfeit products on the market in the course of business can be punished with a prison sentence of up to three years or a fine. If they act commercially, they face a prison sentence of up to 5 years,” warns customs.
Apart from the criminal aspect, counterfeits are supposed bargains, but are actually just inferior goods, according to the consumer advice center. There are risks, especially with unknown shops and providers from non-EU countries.
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Fake shops collect money – but don’t deliver
When problems arise with such shops, complaints or cancellations often fail due to a lack of contact options. High return costs and difficult legal enforcement in non-European countries also make it difficult for consumers to assert their claims.
So-called fake shops appear particularly frequently in connection with cheap jersey offers. These are fraudulent websites that imitate legitimate online shops. Those who order there often receive no goods at all. In many cases the money paid remains lost. Payment methods such as advance payment are typical for such sites. Once the money has been transferred, buyers often have little chance of getting it back.
The consumer advice center therefore advises checking unknown shops carefully before placing an order.
Not every “authentic” jersey is an original
Even if goods are delivered, they are not always original products. With particularly cheap offers from non-EU countries, the risk of receiving a counterfeit product instead of a branded item increases. It’s not just about poorer workmanship or inferior materials. Consumers cannot rely on such products to be free of harmful substances.
Caution is also advised when it comes to advertising promises. Terms like “Authentic”, “Player Version” or “Match Version” sound like official fan articles. However, counterfeit products can still be hidden behind them.
Customs can destroy counterfeit goods
Many providers of such jerseys violate trademark law. If customs authorities discover the counterfeits during checks, they destroy the goods. In this case, too, the customers will not receive the jersey or their money back.
