In 2024, 411,021 counterfeit items were seized in Belgium, nearly doubling from the previous year's total of 217,053, the Ministry of Economy announced on Friday.
This significant increase is primarily due to a multi-year investigation into a supplier of counterfeit toys intended for fairs and markets.
The Economic Inspectorate completed an investigation in 2024 that began in 2017 after inspectors repeatedly found counterfeit toys at retailers, mostly market and fair exhibitors. These exhibitors were monitored for years to identify their supplier.
A breakthrough in the case last year led to the discovery of an extensive clandestine warehouse containing over 350,000 products, with an estimated total value of €3.5 million.
The seized items mainly consisted of plush animals, figurines and playing cards, which are frequently confiscated at markets by the Ministry of Economy. Seized goods were either destroyed or recycled.
Health hazards
In addition to toys, the Ministry intercepted around 10,000 perfume products, 16,000 clothing items, 19,822 litres of liquid detergent, and 16,070 kilograms of washing powder in three separate investigations.
The Ministry noted that many of the seized products are everyday consumer goods rather than luxury items.
The department is concerned about the serious health risks posed by counterfeit products, particularly perfumes and toys.
Seized products. Credit: Ministry of Economy
"Counterfeit toys may contain toxic substances or pose a high choking hazard. The composition of creams, perfumes, or care products is unknown and untested, which can cause skin irritations and stains on clothing," commented the Ministry of Economy's spokesperson Etienne Mignolet.
In addition to toxicity issues, these products are also generally poor in quality and not covered by any guarantee, representing illegal competition for regular shops and traders.
Avoid being duped
The cost of counterfeiting to the European economy is estimated at €60 billion per year.
To spot counterfeits, the Ministry of Economy advises consumers to be wary of offers that seem too good to be true or that are sold through unusual channels.
It is recommended to verify the seller's identity, legal information and the security of payment options.
It is also advised to check other users' reviews on the websites and to examine the product's quality when shopping at physical stores.
Potential defects in stitching, logos or spelling errors on labels can also be a sign that a product is counterfeit.
Victims of counterfeit products can file an online report via ConsumerConnect.
