Border Force crackdown on Christmas counterfeits

Counterfeit designer label scarves, sportswear and electrical equipment are among thousands of counterfeit items seized by Border Force in the run up to Christmas.

The seizures highlight Border Force’s robust work to prevent attempts by organised crime gang’s to exploit the UK’s border for profit.

Since the start of November, items detained by Border Force have included:

• More than 1300 counterfeit Chanel, Burberry and Gucci scarves worth an estimated £904,775, seized at London Gateway Port

• Approximately 850 counterfeit Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent, Versace, Nike, Champion and Converse bags and trainers with an estimated value of more than £842,000 seized at Milton Keynes Inland Pre-Clearance Centre

• Around 3400 items of counterfeit Gucci, Versace, and Chanel bedding, together with items of counterfeit Royal Crown Derby Collection tableware with an estimated total value of £299,400 and seized at Milton Keynes Inland Pre-Clearance Centre

• Over 5200 counterfeit Dr Dre Beats headphones and Apple earphones estimated to be worth over £778,000 seized at Milton Keynes Inland Pre-Clearance Centre

• Approximately 130 counterfeit North Face jackets, Levi T-shirts and Lyle & Scott jumpers estimated to be worth more than £6,000 seized at London Gateway Port

• More than 200 counterfeit Estee Lauder skincare sets seized at Heathrow Cargo

All the seized counterfeit goods originated in China.

Security Minister Brandon Lewis said:

This Government is committed to cracking down on criminals and the trade in counterfeit goods.

People who deliberately purchase counterfeit goods are funding and supporting serious and organised criminals and their illegal activity.

These seizures show how effective Border Force officers are in cracking down on criminality across our ports, airports and mail hubs to keep fake, counterfeit goods out of the country. Their critical work protects legitimate business and ensures that smugglers do not profit.

Once counterfeit items are detained, Border Force’s specialist international trade teams work with the owners of big brands to establish whether goods are genuine. If they are fake the goods are destroyed, and the rights holders must decide whether to privately prosecute the importers.

Consumers who believe they have purchased counterfeit goods are advised to contact Action Fraud, their local Trading Standards office or visit the Citizens Advice website.

Anyone with information about activity they suspect may be linked to smuggling should call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or go to https://www.gov.uk/report-smuggling