Customs agencies have issued a warning about the risks of purchasing counterfeit World Cup jerseys and other branded merchandise at suspiciously low prices online. According to a spokesperson for the General Customs Directorate, consumers are urged to thoroughly check the official websites of manufacturers before buying branded products like sports jerseys. The safest approach to avoiding fakes is to order directly from the original manufacturer.
Furthermore, the spokesperson advised consumers to scrutinize the vendor by checking if an imprint (Impressum) is listed. Any missing or inaccurate information should be viewed as a sign of an unreliable seller. A key indicator of a counterfeit item is a price that is disproportionately lower compared to the genuine product.
The warning also clarified the legal implications: even when an item is acquired for private use, purchasing it through online trade can potentially constitute commercial activity. This means that the act of buying a fake item, even as a private individual, could be subject to legal scrutiny.
