Chinese Customs: A Strategic Barrier Against Counterfeiting

According to studies conducted by the EUIPO and the OECD, China remains the world’s leading source of counterfeit goods. It accounts for approximately 45% of counterfeit goods seizures worldwide and is also the principal country of origin of counterfeit products intercepted at the borders of the European Union.

Customs monitoring is a particularly effective tool in the fight against counterfeiting.

We generally recommend implementing customs watch applications in the European Union in order to seize counterfeit goods declared for import, as well as in China in order to seize counterfeit goods declared for export.

The cases presented in the report published on 24 April 2026 by the NINGNO General Customs Office illustrate the concrete actions undertaken by Chinese Customs in combating counterfeiting during 2025

(http://ningbo.customs.gov.cn/ningbo_customs/470749/470750/7128290/index.html).

• Counterfeit Gasoline Engine Water Pumps

• • Seizure by Beilun Customs, a branch of Ningbo Customs, in January 2025, of 530 gasoline engine water pumps bearing the trademark “EAGLES”, declared for export by a Zhejiang-based company.

• • As the case was considered to involve suspected criminal activity, Ningbo Customs activated the administrative-criminal enforcement linkage mechanism and promptly informed the public security authorities of the investigation findings. In June, the public security authorities officially opened a criminal investigation, and Ningbo Customs transferred the case file for further examination.

• Counterfeit Mobile Phones, Phone Screens and Tablets

• • Seizure by Zhoushan Customs, a branch of Hangzhou Customs, in June 2025 of:
    • 1,273 mobile phones bearing the “OPPO” trademark;
    • 3,017 mobile phones and 400 mobile phone screens bearing the “VIVO” trademark;
    • 207 tablets bearing the “Lenovo” trademark;

all declared for export, with a total value exceeding RMB 2 million.

• • The goods were confiscated and a customs fine was imposed.
  • Given the large quantity and value of the goods involved, and the suspected criminal nature of the activity, Hangzhou Customs activated the administrative-criminal enforcement linkage mechanism and referred the matter to the competent authorities.
• Counterfeit Razors

• • Seizure by Dongguan Customs, a branch of Huangpu Customs, in December 2025, of 86,400 razors bearing the “Gillette” trademark, declared for export, with a total value of RMB 43,200.
  • The goods were confiscated and a customs fine was imposed.
  • In this case, the consignor and consignee had declared the goods as “lighting fixtures”, which constituted a clear attempt to evade customs inspection through the falsification of the product description.

• Counterfeit Television Antennas Protected by a Design Patent

• • Seizure by Dapeng Customs Office on 5 November 2025 of television antennas following a request filed with Shenzhen Customs by the design patent right holder in October 2025.
  • After reviewing the design registration and comparing the products with the protected features, Customs concluded that the good were likely counterfeit.
  • Shenzhen Customs subsequently established a mediation procedure between the parties through the Shenzhen Intellectual Property Protection Centre, resulting in an amicable settlement on 27 November 2025 regarding recognition of the infringement and compensation of the rights holder.

• Counterfeit Luxury Footwear Trademarks

• • Seizure by Xiamen Customs in September 2025 of 110,950 shoe uppers bearing the logos of seven internationally renowned brands, including CELINE and MIU MIU, declared for export.
  • The goods were confiscated and a customs fine was imposed.

• Counterfeit FIFA World Cup 2026 Mascots
  • Seizure by Ningbo Customs in December 2025 of:
    • 5,930 dolls bearing the logos of the official mascots of the FIFA World Cup 2026;
    • Approximately 3,000 footballs and 3,600 keychains bearing the FIFA trademark;

all declared for export.

• • The goods were found to be infringing, confiscated, and the counterfeiters were fined.

• “Labubu” and “POP MART” Merchandise
  • Seizure by Tianjin Customs in July 2025 of 4,000 Labubu plush toys and dolls bearing the POP MART trademark intended for export.
    • Seizure by Beijing Customs in August 2025 of 49,968 Labubu keychains also intended for export.
    • All products were confiscated and fines were imposed on the counterfeiters.

These examples demonstrate the practical value of active customs monitoring, particularly in China, for rapidly detecting counterfeit trade flows and effectively protecting your brands against infringement.

The implementation of customs watch applications in both the European Union and China requires that your trademarks and designs be registered in those jurisdictions. To assist customs authorities in their enforcement activities, we recommend providing all available information that may help identify counterfeit goods and the manufacturing and distribution channels through which such products circulate.

We remain at your disposal to review the scope of your rights and to implement customs watch applications for your trademarks both in China and in the European Union.