It is a beautiful seizure and a beautiful work of cooperation between Parisian and Toulouse customs officers. Without specifying the date, Customs announced in a press release dated November 9, 2021, the seizure of more than 15,000 counterfeit automotive and telephone items. The catch is so beautiful that the customs officers were congratulated by the Minister of the Economy and that in charge of Public Accounts.

Total seizure made: 998 car keys, 1,172 batteries, 12,885 facades and phone cases, as well as 11 cables counterfeiting brands such as Samsung, Apple, Huawei, Peugeot, Mercedes, Toyota and many others. All these counterfeit items were withdrawn from the market in October 2021, proudly announces the French Customs.

It all started in the Paris region. “As part of the surveillance of goods present in express and postal freight, Roissy Customs officers ask their colleagues in Blagnac to carry out a physical check of a package that they have electronically targeted.“. The package is opened on its arrival in Blagnac, near Toulouse. Inside: 534 counterfeit boxes and facades of telephones.

The recipient of the package is a company based in Haute-Garonne. And customs officials will continue their investigations.

A few days later, agents from the customs office and the Blagnac surveillance brigade carry out a check in the professional premises of the company receiving the package. New discovery of counterfeits. Immediate entry. “The head of the company receives a heavy customs fine“.

“Those who produce counterfeits, like those who sell them, seek a maximum return for a minimum investment, by not fulfilling any of the responsibilities, social and legal obligations that a brand regularly guarantees to its customers.“, declared Bruno Le Maire.

The Minister of the Economy, Finance and Recovery sends his thanks to the French customs officials “for their decisive action in the service of the health and safety of our fellow citizens.“

Another declaration following this seizure: that of the Minister Delegate in charge of Public Accounts. “The fight against counterfeits is a priority that I have given to Customs as part of the 2021-2022 counterfeit plan, recalls Olivier Dussopt. “This seizure of numerous counterfeit articles shows the unfailing mobilization of customs officials against this trafficking which undermines the health of our fellow citizens and the intellectual property rights of French companies.“.

In 2020, 5.64 million counterfeits were thus withdrawn from the market by Customs. Of which 2.65 million seized in express and postal freight. Clothing, shoes and their accessories (798,000), games and toys (473,000) and electronic, electrical and computer equipment (172,000) are most often part of the sockets made.