We are pleased to share the release of the latest joint publication by the OECD and the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO):
Mapping Global Trade in Fakes 2025: Global Trends and Enforcement Challenges.

This comprehensive report, published under the OECD’s Illicit Trade series, provides an updated and data-driven analysis of the global trade in counterfeit goods, based on the most recent customs seizure data from 2020 and 2021. It highlights the growing complexity and scale of counterfeit trade, its impact on global markets, and the evolving tactics employed by counterfeiters.

Among its key findings, the report estimates that counterfeit and pirated goods accounted for up to 2.3% of global trade in 2021—equivalent to approximately USD 467 billion. Within the European Union, counterfeit imports reached USD 117 billion, or 4.7% of total EU imports, posing serious threats to legitimate businesses, public safety, and government revenues.

The study underscores the increasing use of online marketplaces, small parcels, and postal services—with nearly 80% of seizures involving packages with fewer than ten items—as well as the emergence of “localisation” strategies, whereby fake products are assembled or packaged near or within destination markets, often inside free trade zones. Sectors most affected include clothing, footwear, leather goods, electronics, cosmetics, and even pharmaceuticals and car parts, many of which pose significant health and safety risks.

This report is a call to action for policymakers, enforcement authorities, IP rights holders, and industry stakeholders. It advocates for stronger cross-border cooperation, enhanced use of technology in enforcement, and closer collaboration with intermediaries such as logistics providers and online platforms.

You can read the full report here.