E-commerce and online sales have become a major player in global trade with their growth expected to rise significantly over the coming years. As with all forms of trade, however, it is vulnerable to criminals and counterfeit trade.The Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis has turned the attention of criminals even more towards the online environment, with the internet becoming the prominent way to sell fraudulent COVID-19 related products.
To address this risk, the OECD’s Task Force on Countering Illicit Trade (TF-CIT) is carrying out a comprehensive, quantitative exercise to provide additional structure and evidence to discuss the Internet's role in the context of trade in counterfeit goods. This research employs the existing data on counterfeit seizures to better understand the dynamics involved with e-commerce and related challenges in the context of counterfeiting. It also scopes areas where potential governance gaps might exist. This project is carried out in collaboration with the Business at OECD Expert Group on Anti-Illicit Trade [Anti Illicit Trade | (biac.org)] in a new and dynamic partnership to combat illicit trade across e-commerce platforms and on-line marketplaces.
GOVERNANCE FRAMEWORKS TO COUNTER ILLICIT TRADE ON-LINE
Governments in many countries have introduced measures to address online challenges. These include:
Government action alone is not enough to address online marketplaces' misuse to facilitate global illicit flows. Both public and private sector stakeholders both have an essential role to play.
SMALL PARCELS
E-commerce transactions are closely linked with shipments via express or international postal services. Both provide fantastic solutions to businesses and citizens. Unfortunately, both have been intensely misused by traffickers in illicit trade.
The TF-CIT checks what standards might be revised to improve international cooperation and public/ private partnerships in the screening of small parcels for illicit goods.
Evidence:
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