EU Customs’ counterfeit seizures rise, but do they present the full picture?

The volume and value of counterfeit goods seized by EU Customs continues to rise, according to figures released by the European Commission this week. 115 million products were seized in 2011 (up from 103 million in 2010) and the value of the goods increased from €1.1 billion in 2010 to €1.3 billion last year. However, discrepancies in accounting methods and differing levels of seizures mean that it can only give a snapshot of the problem of worldwide counterfeiting.