Counterfeiting is quickly becoming a reality for many brand owners posing both a financial and reputational risk on organisations. As well-funded organised crime increases across global borders, the sophistication of counterfeiters is reaching levels equivalent to the standards of the original product. Although the contents and quality of most counterfeit products remains substandard, the packaging in many cases is identical. No longer is the text or the colour of a label or box incorrect, more common is the issue of brand owners not being able to distinguish packaging between the original and the fake. When counterfeiters reach these levels, they are even known to create new flavours and models not even produced by the OEM.
Counterfeit clothing, footwear and leather goods still dominate the global counterfeit market, accounting for an estimated 62% (OECD). However, counterfeiting is no longer limited to fashion – it now affects almost every industry, including automotive parts, alcohol, medicines, cosmetics, toys, food supplements, and agricultural products such as seeds.
The OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) and the EUIPO (European Union Intellectual Property Office) completed their fourth joint study in 2025 valuing global trade in counterfeit goods at 467 billion USD. The report states that “ While China remains the dominant source of counterfeit goods, accounting for 45% of all reported seizures in 2021, other countries from Asia, the Middle East and Latin America are also involved in counterfeit trade”. The OECD-EUIPO continue to report on how counterfeiters make use of “less scrutinised shipping methods” which would include porous borders and unmanaged ports, resulting in less developed countries becoming the targets for counterfeit goods. Most counterfeit goods in Africa are imported, primarily from Asia, and particularly China.
What’s happening in Africa with regards to counterfeit goods?
South African Revenue Service (SARS) says the illicit economy (which also constitutes counterfeit goods) costs South Africa an estimated R100 billion annually.
Research by Euromonitor International, released in the middle of last year, showed that illegal alcohol in South Africa now makes up about 18% of all alcohol sold nationally, equal to R25 billion, a tax loss of R16.5 billion with an increase of 55% since 2017.
Kenyan authorities found that 40 percent of consumer products sold in Kenya are illicit and that the trade robs the Kenyan fiscus of US$900 million a year. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that counterfeit medical products contribute to numerous fatalities and health complications, with approximately 500,000 deaths annually in sub-Saharan Africa being attributed to counterfeit drugs.
The scourge of counterfeiting is taking the globe by storm and much is being done about it. Multiple governmental organisations, including dedicated policing teams, anti-counterfeiting authorities and intellectual property organisations are fighting the fight, often working with brand investigators to identify and prosecute counterfeiters.
Smart, secure packaging for modern brand protection
Many brands are partnering with the private sector to proactively develop practical packaging solutions that make it significantly harder for counterfeiters to replicate products. These anti-counterfeiting measures need to be sophisticated enough to deter fraud, while still remaining commercially viable and cost-effective to implement at scale. Increasingly, these solutions also create valuable opportunities for consumer engagement – helping brands drive sales, build loyalty, and strengthen awareness.
KURZ SCRIBOS, an international leader in anti-counterfeiting technology, enables exactly this. The company develops and manufactures innovative, secure product markings that can be combined with advanced digital tools. These brand protection solutions empower brand owners worldwide to combat counterfeiting, grey market trading, and unauthorised overproduction. In addition, they unlock new possibilities for customer interaction, track & trace capabilities, and deeper market analysis.
Comprehensive security solutions with built-in digital intelligence
KURZ SCRIBOS Security Labels, Direct Print Technology, Holographic Security, Security Seals and Hidden codes can be linked to SCRIBOS 360, the innovative digital software platform that offers app-less, seamless authentication, grey market detection, track and trace solutions, digital consumer engagement and valuable market insight.
KURZ SCRIBOS has success stories in most industries, including but not limited to the Wine & Spirit, Cosmetics, Licensing, Infant Nutrition, Toys, Agricultural, Luxury goods, Automotive & Lubricants, Health & Pharma and Electronics Industries.
Turn packaging into a strategic line of defence
Counterfeiting is no longer a peripheral risk, it is a complex, evolving threat that directly impacts revenue, brand equity and consumer trust. As counterfeiters become more sophisticated, relying on visual packaging cues alone is no longer enough. Brand owners need integrated solutions that combine physical security features with digital intelligence to stay ahead.
KURZ SCRIBOS offers a proven, scalable approach to brand protection by linking secure product markings with powerful digital tools. These solutions not only make counterfeiting significantly more difficult, but also enable authentication, traceability, consumer engagement and actionable market insight – transforming packaging into an active asset rather than a passive cost.
As the Southern African agent for KURZ SCRIBOS, Synchron Markings works closely with brand owners to assess risks, design appropriate security strategies and implement solutions that are practical, cost-effective and tailored to local market realities. For brands operating in high-risk categories or complex supply chains, proactive investment in secure packaging is no longer optional – it is essential.
You can view all KURZ brand protection solutions here.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why is packaging such a critical element in anti-counterfeiting strategies?
Packaging is often the first point of interaction between a consumer and a product and increasingly, the first target for counterfeiters. Advanced security features embedded into packaging make replication significantly more difficult, while also enabling authentication, traceability and consumer engagement.
2. What makes KURZ SCRIBOS solutions different from traditional anti-counterfeiting measures?
KURZ SCRIBOS combines physical security features (such as security labels, holograms, direct print technologies and hidden codes) with digital intelligence via the SCRIBOS 360 platform. This integrated approach allows brands to move beyond static security and into dynamic, data-driven brand protection.
3. Can these solutions be implemented without changing existing packaging designs?
Yes. KURZ SCRIBOS solutions are designed to integrate seamlessly into existing packaging and production environments. Solutions can be customised to align with current materials, printing methods and brand aesthetics, minimising disruption while maximising security.
4. Are these solutions suitable for mass-market products, or only premium brands?
They are suitable for both. KURZ SCRIBOS offers scalable solutions that can be adapted to different risk profiles, price points and production volumes – making them commercially viable for everything from premium goods to high-volume consumer products.
5. How does SCRIBOS 360 support consumer engagement?
SCRIBOS 360 enables app-less authentication via smartphones, allowing consumers to verify product authenticity instantly. This interaction can also be used to deliver brand content, promotions or product information, turning security into a value-adding touchpoint.
6. Can these solutions help identify grey market activity and unauthorised overproduction?
Yes. Using geolocation technology brands can monitor product movement across markets, detect diversion or grey market activity, and gain visibility into counterfeit production.
7. Which industries benefit most from KURZ SCRIBOS solutions?
KURZ SCRIBOS has proven success across a wide range of industries, including Wine & Spirits, Cosmetics, Health & Pharma, Infant Nutrition, Agricultural products, Automotive & Lubricants, Electronics, Toys, Licensing and Luxury Goods – particularly in markets vulnerable to counterfeiting.
8. How can brand owners in Southern Africa access these solutions?
Brand owners in Southern Africa can work directly with Synchron Markings, the official regional agent for KURZ SCRIBOS. Synchron provides local expertise, technical support and implementation guidance tailored to regional supply chains and regulatory environments.
9. How do we get started?
The first step is a consultation to understand your product, market exposure and risk profile. Synchron Markings can then recommend and design an integrated security solution aligned with your operational and commercial requirements. Contact us on cs@synchron.co.za for more information.
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