Holidaymakers are reminded that the somewhat casual attitude often taken by UK authorities to 'knock off' copies of watches and similar items acquired abroad (which are normally ignored, or at worst confiscated) may not be replicated by the customs authorities of other countries.
France, in particular suffers from counterfeiting as many of the luxury brands favoured by counterfeiters are French. The French authorities are assiduous in their targeting of these goods, as counterfeiting is claimed to cost the French economy some €6 billion annually.
In 2004, legislation was passed allowing the French authorities to confiscate counterfeit products and to exact penalties for possession of counterfeit goods, which can include imprisonment for up to three years and fines of up to €300,000.