Customs seized over two million counterfeit items in 2005

Malta was yesterday singled out as having one of the most successful Customs Departments in the European Union.

Statistics published in Brussels show that last year 2,180,635 counterfeit and pirate items had been confiscated by Customs at Maltese ports. These items, which included cigarettes, clothing and alcohol, were mainly destined to other EU member states and originated from Asian countries, mainly China.

The European Commission said over 75 million counterfeit items were seized in the EU last year. Foodstuff, medicines and other goods that can seriously damage the health of customers continue to be illegally copied in large quantities.

Taxation and Customs Commissioner Laszlo Kovaks said when presenting the data, that a secret wave of dangerous fakes is threatening the people of Europe.

"The key is to be faster than the counterfeiters. We must quickly identify, and act to deal with, new routes of fraud and constantly changing counterfeit patterns to protect our health, safety and the economy."

The Commission said that fake textile items are the most intercepted counterfeit goods.

More than 10 million fake textiles were seized in 2005, an increase of more than 40 per cent over 2004.

In the category of foodstuffs and drinks, the items confiscated exceeded five million, an increase of more than 20 per cent on the previous year.

South East Asia generally remains the major source with China being the point of departure of over 60 per cent of the fake items seized. However, new transit routes continue to show up, including, somewhat surprisingly, Afghanistan and Guinea but also Switzerland. Dubai continues to be an important transhipment point of fakes. India has also been reported to be an increasingly significant source of counterfeit medicines.

Mr Kovacs said the Commission will continue to take significant measures to combat this problem and help member states equip themselves better.