Counterfeit goods surge in China and Europe

Counterfeit trade has reached record levels, with significant impacts reported in both China and the European Union. In 2025, Chinese customs authorities seized between 75 million and 86 million suspected counterfeit items. Data from the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) shows that 37,000 intellectual property cases were processed, involving approximately 677 million RMB.

In the European Union, enforcement authorities intercepted over 196 million fake items in 2025, with an estimated market value of $7 billion. This represents a 67 percent increase in monetary value compared to 2024. Analysts indicate that the majority of these goods originate from China, often utilizing Hong Kong as a transshipment hub.

Experts suggest that structural dynamics in China influence these figures, noting that the trade in counterfeit goods can support local employment and generate foreign exchange. To combat these issues, brand owners are encouraged to register trademarks in both Latin and Chinese characters and utilize customs and platform-specific protection tools.