Misuse of Containerized Maritime Shipping in the Global Trade of Counterfeits
The report provides empirical evidence about the misuse of container ships in international
trade in counterfeits. It also suggests the main routes of trade with containers polluted
with illicit trade. Finally, the report also outlines the economic landscape for containerized
maritime transport and investigates policy gaps that enable its misuse by criminals
in illicit trade.
Illicit trade in counterfeit and pirated goods damages economic growth and can harm individual and collective health and safety; fuels corruption; undermines sound public governance, the rule of law and citizens’ trust in government; and can ultimately threaten political stability. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated illicit trade, alarming law enforcement in many parts of the world.
To deal with this risk in an effective way, we need more information on its scale, scope and impact. This joint study by the OECD and the EUIPO sheds new light on the misuse of containerised maritime transport for trade in fake goods.