370kg counterfeit mechanical components seized in Italy thanks to OLAF information

23/11/2020

Based on intelligence shared by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), Italian authorities seized over 4,000 counterfeit bearings (370kg) originating from China.

Bearings are highly engineered components used in all kinds of machinery, from motor engines to aircraft or electric fans. They allow them to move efficiently at high speed and/or to carry significant loads. Whilst this may sound technical, the potential threat to everyone’s safety posed by counterfeit bearings is quite apparent.

The safety risk adds to the financial damage to law-abiding businesses and to public revenue. In this particular case, the trademarks of two well-known manufacturers had been falsified by the counterfeiters.

OLAF’s successful coordination with the Italian Customs and Monopolies Agency (ADM) made the seizure possible – read more here . Constructive cooperation with the Italian authorities was key to achieving the shared goal of protecting European citizens and the European market from counterfeiting.
 

© Italian Customs and Monopolies Agency