Belgian authories have confiscated 19 million counterfeited products this year, leading by far confiscations in the EU. Indeed, about 25% of all confiscations EU-wide took place in Belgium. Germany comes second with 10 million products, followed by Italy. Fake bags or watches are becoming rarer, while food products (including a lot of alcohol) and medicine counterfeits are on the rise. Many of the illegal copies come from countries like China, but also Middle-Eastern countries and Africa.
The explanation to Belgium's explosive numbers is partly the efficiency of the customs officials, but also because of Belgium's strategic location at the center of North and Western Europe, and many ports (e.g. Antwerp, Ostende and Zeebrugge) and airports serving as relay stations to other destinations in Europe.
The explanation to Belgium's explosive numbers is partly the efficiency of the customs officials, but also because of Belgium's strategic location at the center of North and Western Europe, and many ports (e.g. Antwerp, Ostende and Zeebrugge) and airports serving as relay stations to other destinations in Europe.