Morocco among leading sources of counterfeit cosmetics, says OECD-EU report

According to a recently published report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), Morocco ranks as one of the leading countries when it comes to producing fake cosmetics, similar to China.

According to the 2025 report, which analyzed customs data from 2021 and 2022, it was estimated that counterfeits made up roughly $467 billion worth of global commerce in 2021, representing around 2.3% of total worldwide trade.

The research underscores a growing worldwide pattern of counterfeit merchandise smuggling, where advanced distribution techniques are complicating law enforcement efforts.

In particular, the European Union is facing the major impact of this illegal trade. Fake products account for 4.7 percent of EU imports, with the fashion sector being the most affected—the clothing, footwear, and leather goods categories together constitute more than 60 percent of all seized counterfeit items at customs.

The report cautions that counterfeiting poses significant dangers well beyond imitation luxury goods. Fake products like cosmetics, automotive components, edibles, playthings, and medications present substantial hazards to public health and security. A lot of these items are traded via the internet and transported in modest packages to bypass border controls.

Morocco was explicitly identified as a major non-EU economy involved in exporting fake items into Europe. The distribution process for these goods frequently involves intricate supply networks, tax-free economic zones, and digital marketplaces, which complicates efforts at identifying and combating them.

The document advocates for improved cooperation among customs authorities, police forces, market oversight entities, and financial analysis teams. Additionally, it stresses the importance of tighter partnership with transportation firms to obstruct criminals from utilizing small package shipments and less risky delivery methods.

The report notes that counterfeiting operations are growing quicker and more adaptable. These groups rapidly produce imitation copies of popular goods, distribute them via online platforms, and use undetected delivery channels. Notably, around 65% of confiscated counterfeit items have been found in small parcels.

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Morocco ranks as one of the top origins of fake cosmetics, according to an OECD-EU study.

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