Research: The UK Customs Intellectual Property Enforcement Report 2021-2023

In the past three years, Border Force have seized counterfeit articles with a retail value exceeding half a billion pounds. This figure alone demonstrates the scale of the threat to our innovation economy from counterfeit goods, and Border Force’s integral role as a first line of defence in protecting the UK from IP crime.

Intellectual property rights give individuals and businesses the confidence to develop something new. They encourage us all to create and innovate, strengthening our economy and enriching our society. When people trust their ideas will be protected, creativity and innovation flourish.

But when criminals undermine these rights, this threatens the innovation that drives economic growth across the UK. Such criminal activity can damage market confidence, directly harming businesses of all sizes and threatening public safety.

This report underscores the shared commitment between the Intellectual Property Office, HM Revenue and Customs, and Border Force to protecting businesses, consumers and society from intellectual property crime. Covering UK border seizure activity from January 2021 to December 2023, it marks an important milestone in IP enforcement.  The report establishes our new benchmark for transparent reporting on intellectual property enforcement under our customs framework.

Counterfeit trade operates across borders, often linked to organised crime groups. Strikingly, the data reveals how quickly these groups adapt to market conditions and consumer behaviour – from exploiting pandemic-related demand for medical products, to targeting fashion trends and major sporting events. Our response must be more coordinated and effective to outpace these threats.

Sharing these insights with our enforcement partners, rights holders and international counterparts strengthens our collective ability to combat this criminal activity. The findings reinforce the importance of coordinated action - recognising IP crime as both a global and local threat.