According to the document approved on April 30, a total of 3,264,653 counterfeit products were seized by the authorities during 2024, equivalent to more than 6 million euros. In 2023, seizures totalled 655,000 products.

The seizure of tobacco and tobacco-derived products registered the greatest increase, with an increase of 15,992.57%, which is equivalent to 424,361 more products than in 2023.

Another considerable increase is related to the counterfeiting of clothing, footwear, packaging, labels and tags, with seizures increasing by 906.7%. Counterfeiting of cell phones increased by 476.81% and counterfeiting of perfumes and cosmetic products increased by 448.59%.

Despite the exponential increase, no CDs, DVDs, cassette tapes or games were seized and seizures of alcoholic beverages and food items decreased by 73%.

The figure recorded in 2024 is the largest increase since 2016, the year in which more than 10 million seizures were made, and the report highlights that “counterfeiting continues to grow strongly, associated with the growth trend of e-commerce”.

The Anti-Counterfeiting Group also warns about the counterfeiting of medicines, which it considers “a prominent issue at an international level and the increase that has been observed involves highly organised criminal groups, which invade pharmaceutical production lines and distribution”.

Regarding counterfeit medicines, Portuguese customs made seizures every day related to “small shipments of goods via post”.

The seizures are the result of actions carried out by the Food and Economic Security Authority (ASAE), the Tax and Customs Authority (AT), the National Republican Guard (GNR), the Public Security Police (PSP), the Judicial Police (PJ) and the National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI).