1,000 counterfeit EPAL Euro pallets seized at Ukrainian/Slovakian border

The joint operation was organised between the European Pallet Association (EPAL), independent inspection company Bureau Veritas and the Slovakian customs authorities at the Uzhgrog / Vyšné Nemecké border crossing.

Further operations in Poland & Hungary

Further operations are planned on the Ukrainian borders with Poland and Hungary.

The European Pallet Association is also working with EPAL-licensed pallet producers in Ukraine.

“It’s all about stabilising the quality of the pallet market in Ukraine and the region with respect to EPAL and strengthening the position of our licensees by prosecuting counterfeiters and importers of counterfeit EPAL pallets​,” said Samson Simonian, Russian representative, EPAL.

The operation was carried out to stop illegal imports of counterfeit Euro pallets into the European Union.

Six truck loads inspected

Within a week, a total of six truck loads had been inspected, two of which contained counterfeit EPAL Euro pallets.

The counterfeits were identifiable by their branded markings on the side and centre blocks of the Euro pallets and the lack of control staples.

The poor quality of the pallets was also immediately apparent.

The seized counterfeit pallets were destroyed at the expense of the illegal importers immediately after the investigations had been concluded.

The counterfeit EPAL Euro pallets are a trademark protection infringement subject to prosecution by EPAL, holder of the rights to the “EPAL in oval” brand, and by the customs authorities.