Over 3.2 million counterfeit items were seized in 2024
Portugal saw a massive rise in counterfeit product seizures in 2024, with the total number increasing by nearly 400% compared to the previous year, according to the latest report from the Anti-Counterfeiting Group (GAC).
Authorities confiscated over 3.2 million counterfeit items last year – up from around 655,000 in 2023 – with an estimated value exceeding €6 million. This marks the highest volume of seizures since 2016, when more than 10 million items were intercepted.
The biggest jump was seen in tobacco and tobacco products, which surged by an astonishing 15,993%, representing more than 424,000 additional seized items compared to 2023.
Other significant rises included a 906.7% leap in clothing, footwear, packaging, labels and tags seizures, a 476.81% increase in counterfeit mobile phone confiscations, and a 448.59% rise in counterfeit perfumes and cosmetic items.
However, no counterfeit CDs, DVDs, cassettes, or games were seized at a time when digital media is increasingly becoming the norm, and seizures of alcoholic beverages and foodstuffs actually dropped by 73%.
The report links this surge in counterfeit seizures to the expanding role of e-commerce, which has made the distribution of counterfeit goods easier and more widespread.
A growing concern highlighted by the GAC is the rise in counterfeit medicines, described as a “global issue” involving highly organised criminal groups targeting pharmaceutical production and distribution channels. Portuguese customs authorities reported daily seizures of small parcels containing fake medicines sent by post.
The seizures were carried out by a coordinated effort of several agencies, including the Food and Economic Safety Authority (ASAE), Tax and Customs Authority (AT), Portugal’s three police forces (GNR, PSP and PJ) and the National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI).
