Counterfeiting and customs detention
Customs mechanism allowing the seizure of goods suspected of infringing an intellectual property right.
Counterfeiting and customs detention
Customs detention is a mechanism allowing customs authorities to detain goods suspected of infringing intellectual property rights (brands, patents, designs, models, copyrights, geographical indications).
Legal framework
Regulation (EU) No. 608/2013 organizes customs intervention for the protection of intellectual property rights at EU borders.
Request for intervention
The holder of an intellectual property right can file a request for intervention with customs, valid for one year and renewable. This request is free and allows customs to monitor imports and detain suspicious goods.
Simplified procedure
A simplified procedure allows the destruction of infringing goods with the agreement of the holder, without legal recourse. Failing agreement, the right holder must take legal action.
Numbers
EU customs seize more than 300 million counterfeit items each year, worth billions of euros. The most affected products are clothing, toys, medicines and electronic products.
Challenge for importers
Importing counterfeits exposes you to confiscation, destruction of goods, fines and criminal prosecution, even if the importer had no knowledge of the counterfeit.