Italian Government to Crack-Down on Beach Vendors
Merchants may soon face harsh penalties for selling knock-off shoes, clothes and other items under the Interior Ministry’s new “safe beaches” directive. As reported by Il Sole 24 Ore, vendors of counterfeit goods could be slapped with fines up to €15,000 ($17,500 USD), and anyone who knowingly purchases fake items may be fined €7,000 ($8,150).
The business lobby Conferscenti calculated that fraudulent goods generate €22 billion ($25.6 billion) in black-market revenue and €11.5 billion ($13.38 billion) in lost taxes each year. The counterfeiting industry accounts approximately 1% of Italy’s Gross Domestic Product, which is the 8th-largest in the world and 3rd-largest in the Eurozone.
As the “safe beaches” directive is enacted, beachgoers may see increased presence from both local and national police forces, including the Guardia di Finanza – Italy’s financial police, responsible for preventing and prosecuting tax evasion, drug trafficking, border violations, and counterfeiting, among other crimes. These measures aim to limit the activities of beach vendors, a common sight on the Italian coastline.
– Joe Powers
