Statistics of customs interceptions of articles suspected of infringing intellectual property rights (IPR), such as trademarks, copyrights or patents are published yearly by the European Commission.

It must be stressed that only goods intercepted using certain procedures (defined in Council Regulation (CE) 1383/2003 are included in these statistics. The data is provided by EU Member States which forward results relating to IPR infringements to the Commission on a quarterly basis, in accordance with Article 8 of Commission Regulation (EC) 1891/2004.

2010

Statistics published on 14 July 2011 by the European Commission show an amazing upward trend in the number of shipments suspected of violating intellectual property rights (IPR). Customs in 2010 registered around 80,000 cases, a figure that has almost doubled since 2009. It refers to more than 103 million products detained at the EU external border. The report stresses that on-line sales caused a spectacular increase of detentions in postal traffic where 60% of the goods detained were medicines.

Of the top categories, cigarettes accounted for 34%, followed by office stationary, tobacco products, labels, clothing, and toys.

Furthermore, items used by citizens in their daily lives (soap, household appliances etc.) also accounted for a significant part and this could potentially have health and safety implications.

China continued to be the main source of counterfeit and pirated products, totalling 85% of all articles suspected of infringing IPR.

For the first time, the report also gives an indication of the estimated value of the equivalent genuine products, which was over € 1 billion.

Tackling trade in IPR infringing goods requires targeted efforts. A summary of customs activities in 2010, related to IPR enforcement, which focuses on the implementation of the EU Customs Action Plan to combat IPR infringements for the years 2009 - 2012 is also provided in the statistical report.

Number of registered cases






For further information see the press release (IP/11/882 ), the frequently asked questions (MEMO/11/506 ), the full report (pdf 1.76 Mb)(1.76 Mb).

2009

EU-wide statistics for 2009 (pdf 1.46 Mb)(1.46 Mb)

2008

EU-wide statistics for 2008 (pdf 980 Kb)(980 Kb) 

2007

EU-wide statistics for 2007 (pdf 226 Kb)(226 Kb)

2006

EU-wide statistics for 2006 (pdf 281 Kb)(281 Kb) 

2005

Community-wide statistics for 2005 (pdf 81 Kb)(81 Kb) 

2004

Community-wide statistics for 2004 and major changes 2003-2004 (pdf 294 Kb)(294 Kb) 

2003

For further information please read the press release IP/05/147 , MEMO/05/40  and Commissioner Kovács' speech (pdf 45 Kb)(45 Kb) delivered at a press conference held on 8 February 2005.

Interesting cases 2003 (pdf 28 Kb)(28 Kb) 

Community-wide statistics for 2003 (pdf 745 Kb)(745 Kb) 

Major changes from 2002-2003 (pdf 126 Kb)(126 Kb) 

2002

Community-wide statistics for 2002 (pdf 518 Kb)(518 Kb)

Major changes from 2000-2002 (pdf 191 Kb)(191 Kb)

Statistical results for each Member State (pdf 241 Kb)(241 Kb) (full version)

2001

Press release 

Community-wide statistics for 2001 (pdf 70 Kb)(70 Kb)

Major changes from 2000-2001 (pdf 13 Kb)(13 Kb)

Statistical results for each Member State (pdf 242 Kb)(242 Kb) (full version)

2000

Community-wide statistics for 2000 (pdf 224 Kb)(224 Kb)

Major changes from 1999-2000 (pdf 28 Kb)(28 Kb)

Statistical results for each Member State (pdf 767 Kb)(767 Kb) (full version)

Complete statistics file (pdf 969 Kb)(969 Kb)