Online shopping has boomed during the pandemic.
Keystone / Peter Klaunzer
The boom in online trade and tighter border controls during the health crisis have led to a major increase in the number of counterfeit goods seized by federal customs.
On Thursday, the Federal Customs Administration reported that it had confiscated about 50% more fake products in 2020 than in the previous year. In 2020, 4,433 counterfeit products were seized, compared to 2,906 in 2019. The most common counterfeit products were watches, jewellery, glasses, and handbags.
According to customs authorities, one key reason for this increase is the rise in online shopping due to the closure of shops and a ban on cross-border shopping. The value of customs declarations reached CHF50 million ($54 million) in 2020, compared to CHF40 million in 2019.
Switzerland’s borders were closed and strictly controlled from March 13 last year to curb the spread of the coronavirus. The number of people crossing borders decreased by up to 80% throughout Switzerland. The country re-opened its borders in June, but certain travel restrictions remain in place.
The customs administration also points out that stronger checks at the border also contributed to the rise in seizures. This likely contributed to an increase in the amount of heroin and cocaine confiscated in 2020. Twice as much heroin was seized in 2020 than in the previous year.
The decline in travel in 2020 led to a drop in forged documents, such as passports. In 2020, there were 142 forged passports confiscated, half as many as in 2019. The share of seized medicines and doping substances also declined.
A historic drop in foreign trade in 2020 affected revenue collected from value-added tax. As a result, the Federal Customs Administration saw revenue drop from CHF23 billion to CHF21.8 billion in 2020.
Popular Stories
More
Multinational companies
Azeri fossil-fuel cash cow brings controversy to Switzerland
Swiss price watchdog slams excessive prices for generic medicines
This content was published on
The cheapest generic medicines available in Switzerland are more than twice as expensive as in other countries, according to a study by the Swiss price watchdog.
Nature should not figure in net zero calculations: academic study
This content was published on
The natural removal of CO2 from the atmosphere by forests or oceans should not be included in the net-zero balance of climate protection measures, argue researchers.
This content was published on
None of the 15 major Swiss retail banks is meeting international climate and biodiversity targets, according to a ranking by WWF Switzerland.
This content was published on
Nestlé's new CEO Laurent Freixe, has presented plans for the future of the world's largest food company, after his first few weeks in office.
Swiss foreign minister calls on Moscow to end Ukraine war
This content was published on
It's high time Moscow ended its war against Ukraine, Swiss foreign minister Ignazio Cassis tells the UN Security Council.
This content was published on
The only alternative to the UN Palestinian agency’s work in Gaza is to allow Israel to run services there, Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA Commissioner-General, told reporters in Geneva on Monday.
Study reveals food culture differences between Switzerland and neighbours
This content was published on
Three-quarters of Swiss people consider eating to be a pleasurable, social activity, a new survey reveals. Healthy eating, however, plays a much less important role, it found.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Switzerland tops global e-commerce index
This content was published on
Switzerland is the best equipped country for online shopping, according to a United Nations comparison of more than 150 states.
This content was published on
Electronics and fashion goods dominated orders. Food accounted for just 2.8% of the total goods consumed (up from 1.8% in 2018), but the report’s authors expect orders to increase this year with people reluctant to go to supermarkets in view of the coronavirus outbreak. Online shoppers predominantly favoured Swiss products, spending CHF8.3 billion in domestic…
Pandemic leads to historic drop in Swiss foreign trade
This content was published on
Exports and imports declined by CHF40 billion ($45 billion) in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, setting foreign trade levels back by three years.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.