The global trade in counterfeit goods remains a pressing and growing threat to public safety, economic stability, and international supply chains, according to Mapping Global Trade in Fakes 2025, a newly released report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO).
The report estimates the value of global counterfeit trade at USD 467 billion in 2021. Illicit goods continue to infiltrate virtually every consumer sector and reach every corner of the global economy. From clothing and electronics to medicine and food, counterfeiters are exploiting vulnerabilities in international logistics and evolving their tactics to avoid detection.
ILLICIT GOODS PENETRATING DAILY LIFE, ENDANGERING CONSUMERS
Fashion-related items like clothing, footwear, and leather goods continue to be the most affected. They make up 62% of all seized counterfeit goods. The report warns of a surge in hazardous fake products. Items such as automotive parts, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, toys, and even food are now commonly counterfeited. This poses serious risks to consumer health and safety.
“Illicit trade threatens public safety, undermines intellectual property rights and hampers economic growth,” said OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann. “The risks could increase as counterfeiters leverage new technologies and techniques to avoid detection.”
SHIFTING TRADE ROUTES AND SMARTER COUNTERFEITING TACTICS
The report highlights how counterfeiters are adopting “localisation” strategies. They ship unassembled parts and packaging into countries. This allows them to assemble counterfeit products closer to final markets. As a consequence, these products become harder to detect through traditional customs inspections.
In parallel, small parcel shipments and mail deliveries now account for about 65% of counterfeit seizures. This indicates a strong shift toward e-commerce-fueled distribution. The distribution offers speed, anonymity, and lower inspection risks.
China remains the primary origin of fake goods. It is responsible for 45% of global seizures. The report also points to growing activity in other parts of Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America.
A CALL FOR COORDINATED GLOBAL ACTION
To combat the rising scale and sophistication of the counterfeit trade, the report calls for enhanced international cooperation. It also suggests real-time information exchange among law enforcement, customs, and market surveillance bodies. Furthermore, there is a need for greater accountability among global logistics and postal services.
Key recommendations include:
- Boosting collaboration between customs, police, financial intelligence units, and health regulators.
- Improving surveillance in free trade zones and ports vulnerable to misuse.
- Involving shipping companies and e-commerce platforms in proactive anti-counterfeit measures.
- Training personnel to recognize counterfeit indicators and spot high-risk trade patterns.
The OECD–EUIPO report underscores the urgent need for smart policy and technological solutions. This is necessary to keep up with a counterfeit industry. The industry is becoming ever more agile and global in scale.
