China strengthens customs IPR protection, steps up crackdown on infringement

## Executive Insight China's General Administration of Customs (GAC) reported intensified IPR enforcement in 2025, seizing 86.42 million suspected infringing goods. Cross-border e-commerce remained the largest source of seizures (24,600 batches), while market procurement exports saw a 48.4% year-on-year increase to 37.89 million pieces. The GAC plans to use big data and AI to enhance risk analysis and participate in international IP rule-making. This signals heightened scrutiny for importers and exporters, especially in e-commerce and market procurement channels. ## Why This Matters for Trade Importers and exporters face higher risk of customs detention and penalties for IPR infringement, especially in cross-border e-commerce and market procurement channels. The use of advanced technology will make enforcement more effective, increasing compliance costs and operational risks. ## Impact on Importers Importers face higher risk of goods being detained if IP rights are not properly documented. Need to verify that suppliers have clear IP ownership or licenses. ## Impact on Exporters Exporters to China must ensure their products do not infringe on Chinese IP rights. Those with valid IP can use customs protection to block counterfeit imports. ## Supply Chain and Logistics Impact Potential delays at customs due to IP checks; need for better IP documentation in shipping documents; increased need for IP due diligence on suppliers. ## Compliance, Documentation and Customs Impact Companies must strengthen IP compliance programs, including training, documentation, and registration of IP with Chinese customs. Non-compliance can lead to seizure, fines, and reputational damage. ## Pricing Impact Compliance costs may rise due to need for IP registration and legal advice. However, effective IP protection can reduce losses from counterfeiting and support premium pricing. ## Key Risks - Increased customs seizures and delays for goods with unclear IP rights - Higher compliance costs for IP documentation and registration - Potential for disputes with suppliers over IP ownership - Reputational damage if found infringing ## Potential Opportunities - Stronger IP protection for legitimate right holders - Ability to use customs recordation to block counterfeit imports - Market advantage for companies with registered IP in China - Potential for collaboration with Chinese customs on IP enforcement ## Recommended Actions for Businesses - Register trademarks, patents, and copyrights with China Customs for IPR protection - Audit supply chains to ensure all goods have clear IP rights - Update shipping documentation to include IP ownership evidence - Train compliance teams on China's IPR customs procedures - Monitor GAC announcements for new enforcement priorities ## Market Outlook China's IPR enforcement will continue to strengthen, making it more challenging for counterfeit goods but more secure for legitimate IP holders. Market procurement trade will face heightened scrutiny. ## Full Analysis This development should be read as a business signal rather than a general news headline. On April 23, 2026, China's GAC announced that customs nationwide have strengthened IPR protection and maintained a tough stance against infringement. In 2025, they seized 86.42 million pieces of suspected infringing goods, benefiting right holders from 57 countries. Enforcement was intensified against cross-border e-commerce and market procurement trade, with the latter seeing a 48.4% year-on-year increase in seizures. Future plans include using big data and AI for risk analysis and engaging in international IP rule-making. For trade operators, the key point is why this matters commercially: Importers and exporters face higher risk of customs detention and penalties for IPR infringement, especially in cross-border e-commerce and market procurement channels. The use of advanced technology will make enforcement more effective, increasing compliance costs and operational risks. For importers, the practical implication is clear: Importers face higher risk of goods being detained if IP rights are not properly documented. Need to verify that suppliers have clear IP ownership or licenses. For exporters, the message is also strategic: Exporters to China must ensure their products do not infringe on Chinese IP rights. Those with valid IP can use customs protection to block counterfeit imports. From an operations perspective, supply-chain and logistics consequences may emerge through Potential delays at customs due to IP checks; need for better IP documentation in shipping documents; increased need for IP due diligence on suppliers. On the compliance side, companies should not ignore that Companies must strengthen IP compliance programs, including training, documentation, and registration of IP with Chinese customs. Non-compliance can lead to seizure, fines, and reputational damage. In cost terms, the pricing effect should be monitored because Compliance costs may rise due to need for IP registration and legal advice. However, effective IP protection can reduce losses from counterfeiting and support premium pricing. The short-term business effect is likely to center on Immediate increase in customs inspections and seizures, especially for e-commerce and market procurement shipments. Companies should expect delays and prepare documentation. Looking slightly further ahead, the medium-term implication is that As AI and big data are deployed, enforcement will become more targeted and efficient. Companies with robust IP practices will face fewer disruptions; others may see increased detentions. Overall, the market outlook can be summarized as follows: China's IPR enforcement will continue to strengthen, making it more challenging for counterfeit goods but more secure for legitimate IP holders. Market procurement trade will face heightened scrutiny.