Customs in Germany seized significantly more counterfeit goods last year. The value of the confiscated counterfeit goods rose to 315 million euros, as the Federal Ministry of Finance announced on Monday in Berlin. In the previous year, this value was around 239 million euros.
The General Customs Directorate spoke of a growing phenomenon that is being reinforced by online trade. About 68 percent of the goods came from China and Hong Kong. Clothing, shoes, handbags, sunglasses and jewelry were the most frequently counterfeited items. The trend towards counterfeit luxury goods, such as watches or jewelry, is continuing, said the President of the General Customs Directorate, Colette Hercher.
Customs also seized more contraband cigarettes, totaling 117 million. The year before it was 105 million units.
There were more criminal investigations initiated in the fight against undeclared work – the number rose from around 105,000 to 120,000. Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP) spoke of an increasing number of organized gangs that were causing high damage to the tax authorities. In 2021, tax and social security losses of almost 790 million euros were determined. (dpa)