European proposal targets duty-free goodscrackdown

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The European Commission has proposed a regulation that will allow its customs authorities to seize suspected counterfeit or pirated goods from passengers even if they are within the EU duty-free allowance (?175/$175)

If adopted, the regulation will replace the existing regulation, which excludes goods within the duty-free allowance from its scope.

In an accompanying document, the Commission said new regulations were needed as the "nature of the products counterfeited and the methods used by international fraud gangs are evolving constantly". The Commission defended its proposal, saying business representatives have always argued for the exclusion clause to be removed, saying that it favours tourist trafficking and sends an inappropriate message to travellers.

The proposal is the result of a ninefold increase in goods infringing on intellectual property rights intercepted on EU external borders between 1998 and 2001. Before it is implemented, the proposal must be approved by a majority of the EU Council of Ministers. The Commission was unable to tell TRW how long this may take.