Türkiye ranks second in the world in counterfeit goods trade

According to a new report by the OECD and the European Union Intellectual Property Office, Türkiye ranks second after China in the trade of counterfeit goods. 22 percent of the counterfeit goods entering the European Union come from Türkiye.

The “Global Map of Counterfeit Goods Trade 2025” report published by the OECD and the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) determined that Turkey is in an important position. According to the report, Turkey ranks second after China in counterfeit goods trade.

According to data on counterfeit goods seized in the 2020-2021 period, Turkey is among the countries that export the most counterfeit goods in the world, after China. However, the report reveals that Turkey's share in the counterfeit goods trade decreased in 2021 compared to 2020. China's share increased in the same period.

OECD experts state that Türkiye’s geographical location and modern logistics infrastructure create a favorable environment for counterfeit goods trade. Turkish customs data also confirms this. In 2023, 21 percent of counterfeit goods seized by Turkish customs were in import transactions, 19 percent in transit, and 26 percent in warehouse transactions.

The report shows that Türkiye is a significant source country for counterfeit products entering the EU. In the 2020-2021 period, 22 percent of counterfeit products entering the European Union were exported from Türkiye. With this rate, Türkiye ranks second after China.

The majority of counterfeit goods trade from Türkiye to EU countries consists of clothing products. A significant portion of the value of seized counterfeit textiles consists of products exported from Türkiye to France and Bulgaria.

According to the report, Türkiye is among the leading countries in the counterfeit clothing and shoe trade. Bangladesh, Lebanon, Syria and Türkiye are shown as the countries with the highest probability scores in terms of counterfeit clothing exports.

The importance of road transport is increasing in the entry of counterfeit products exported from Türkiye into the EU in the 2020-2021 period. 15 percent of counterfeit clothing products are transported by road. Experts state that this method is especially common in transfers from Türkiye to European countries and within Europe.

Another point that draws attention in the report is the increasing importance of the Danube River in the counterfeit goods trade. According to experts, the Danube River, which has the status of an international waterway, has become a convenient route for counterfeit goods smuggling because it has fewer restrictions at border crossings.

It is stated that Türkiye has strategic importance in using this route due to its geographical location, coastline on the Black Sea and proximity to the Danube basin. Border closures during the coronavirus pandemic have forced criminal organizations to seek alternative routes.

The report shows that Türkiye is also one of the important centers of counterfeit production in cosmetic products. It was determined that 65 percent of the counterfeit cosmetic products seized in the 2020-2021 period came from Türkiye and China.

OECD experts have recently drawn attention to the widespread use of a strategy called “localization.” Accordingly, counterfeit product manufacturers have begun to produce their products in locations close to their target markets. Türkiye’s proximity to the EU market provides favorable conditions for the implementation of this strategy.

The report draws attention to the importance of more effective border controls and international cooperation in combating counterfeit trade. It emphasizes that Türkiye is an important actor in the counterfeit trade with its transit country position, free trade zones and logistics infrastructure, but that this position can be controlled with effective measures.

The OECD and EUIPO recommend increased inspections, especially in postal and courier services, road transport and free trade zones. Considering that global counterfeit goods trade reached $467 billion in 2021, the economic importance of combating this area is also evident.