Greek Seizure Nets Thousands of Pairs of Counterfeit Columbia Sportswear Footwear

Counterfeit and knock-off footwear costs shoe giants like Columbia, Nike, Adidas and Fila millions every year.

Image courtesy: Columbia Sportswear

(PORTLAND) - Columbia Sportswear Company has announced a significant counterfeit seizure that underscores the company’s continued commitment to pursue counterfeiters. With the help of customs officials around the world, Columbia, has increased the seizure of counterfeit goods nearly ten-fold since 2003.

Recently, customs authorities in Greece notified Columbia that they had stopped a container of counterfeit footwear, resulting in a seizure of 19,200 pairs of counterfeit Columbia shoes.

The shoes had been manufactured in China and were en route to an importer based in Greece.

In accordance with the sanctions allowed by Greek law, the shoes will be destroyed.

“The assistance of customs officials around the world has been instrumental in identifying counterfeit shipments as they cross borders,” said Tim Boyle, President and CEO of Columbia Sportswear Company. “We are especially grateful to the Piraeus customs office in Greece, for their assistance in this significant seizure. We will not tolerate the effects of counterfeiting on our brand and the quality and performance related problems that these products present to the unsuspecting consumer.”