Irish passengers headed to Spain, Portugal, Italy and more are being warned over some items that could land them in serious trouble on arrival back in Ireland.
Most holiday hotspots throughout the summer months will be home to many counterfeit goods being sold on the streets and beaches swarmed with tourists - tempting many into purchasing the far cheaper alternatives of popular brands like Louis Vuitton, Gucci and Prada.
A warning has been issued ahead of the busy summer season, as European rules could see passengers arriving home to hefty fines.
The latest caution comes from the European Consumer Centres Network, which says anyone caught with large amounts of counterfeit designer products can face fines of up to €10,000.
The fine is not just for purchasing the item, but also for transporting it into Ireland with the intention of selling it.
"A counterfeit copy is usually cheap but can end up costing you a lot more in the long run,” the ECC says.
“In many countries, the laws against counterfeit products are harsh.
"In some European countries, you can be fined up to €10,000, not only if you purchase a counterfeit product, but also if you bring it in to the country."
The purchasing of counterfeit products is particularly common in Ireland according to the European Union Intellectual Property Office, which found that around 43% of people aged 15 to 24 have bought at least one fake designer item online in the past 12 months.
According to the Revenue , importation or attempted importation of counterfeit goods or dealing with counterfeit goods can result in:
- €1,900 and/or up to 12 months imprisonment on summary conviction
- TDV or €12,695 whichever is the greater and /or up to 5 years imprisonment on conviction or indictment
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