Customs officials in Germany seize over 22,000 counterfeit luxury items
When inspecting a container from China, officers of the Stralsund Main Customs Office seized more than 22,000 counterfeit perfume bottles, shoes, and bags. The value of the counterfeit goods is estimated at around one million euros.
Million-euro find of counterfeits in cargo container inspection
Officials from the Stralsund Main Customs Office uncovered numerous counterfeit luxury goods when they conducted an inspection of a container that had arrived from China, according to information from the authorities. Upon opening the container, officials reportedly noticed right away that it held significantly more goods than had been declared—including numerous products suspected of infringing on trademark rights. The case, which was only made public by the authorities this year, took place back in September of last year.
In total, customs officials seized 21,500 counterfeit perfume bottles, approximately 560 pairs of counterfeit shoes, and about 240 counterfeit handbags. The seized counterfeit goods are imitations of products from well-known luxury brands. The total market value of the confiscated items is estimated at approximately one million euros.
Trademark owners confirm counterfeit suspicions
The find was followed by further extensive actions by officials. Sabine Mattil, press spokesperson for the Stralsund Main Customs Office, explained: “What followed was a very extensive follow-up process by colleagues, because in addition to a detailed count and documentation of the individual products, all trademark owners also had to be notified, among other things. These have now confirmed that the items are counterfeits.” According to customs information, the seized counterfeits will now be destroyed.
The Stralsund seizure is part of a larger picture: In 2024, German customs seized counterfeit goods with a total value of approximately 435 million euros, with personal care products—including items such as perfumes and cosmetics—accounting for around 586,000 units.
Recently, a major blow against perfume counterfeiting was delivered in Spain: authorities there dismantled Europe’s largest perfume counterfeiting factory and disrupted a criminal organization that was manufacturing counterfeit perfume on a large scale and distributing it across Europe. Detailed information about the operation was released in a statement in mid-February.
Sources: Stralsund Main Customs Office | Article in co-operation with Anti-Piracy Analyst
