Inspection of 10 Products on Overseas Online Platforms
Including Cosmetics, Kitchenware, Small Home Appliances, and Fashion Accessories
"Difficulty in Identifying Counterfeits Raises Concerns for Consumer Harm"
An analysis of some brand products sold at prices lower than the normal price on overseas online platforms confirmed that all were counterfeit.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on the 24th that it had analyzed 10 products from 8 brands sold on platforms such as Aliexpress and Temu at the nationally accredited testing agency, KATRI (Korea Apparel Testing & Research Institute), and found that none of them matched the genuine products.
The inspection covered five cosmetics, three kitchenware items, one small home appliance, and one fashion accessory. The selection focused on cosmetics, which have recently been the subject of counterfeiting controversies, and kitchenware, which is frequently used in daily life. These products were being sold at prices averaging 65% lower and up to 91% lower than the normal retail price.
An analysis of some brand products sold at prices lower than the normal price on overseas online platforms confirmed that all were counterfeit. The scent of two perfume products was distinctly different from the genuine ones. Getty Images
In the case of cosmetics, all five products from four brands (two perfumes, two basic skincare products, and one color cosmetic product) differed from the genuine items. The containers' designs and colors were different, and the logo placement and labeling did not match the originals.
There were differences not only in appearance but also in ingredients. The scents of the two perfume products were distinctly different from the genuine ones, and the ingredient compositions of the three basic and color cosmetic products did not match the originals. For cosmetics, differences in ingredients can lead to safety issues such as dermatitis or allergies, so consumers should exercise caution.
As for kitchenware, all three products from two brands (one scrubber, one water purifier, and one water filter) did not match the genuine items. Overall, the design and color differed, and there were no product logos. The water purifier filter had a different structural design from the original, making it difficult to guarantee filtration performance, and there is also a possibility that harmful substances could be detected in the filter itself, requiring special caution.
The one small home appliance product (headphones) also differed from the genuine item in color, logo font, and other design details. The stitching on the leather cover was not precise, and the leather material was different from the original. In addition, the one fashion accessory product (a phone case) did not match the genuine product. There was no genuine label on the product, and the color and design were different from the original. The font used for the copyright notice at the bottom of the product also did not match the genuine item.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government explained that, in the case of online platforms, sellers often use brand names or genuine images without authorization, making it difficult for consumers to determine whether a product is counterfeit in advance. The city also advised consumers to check registered trademarks and logo designs through the Korean Intellectual Property Rights Information Service (KIPRIS), and to carefully compare product descriptions, reviews, and product images posted on official websites before making a purchase.
Based on the results of this inspection, the Seoul Metropolitan Government requested overseas online platforms to stop selling the relevant products and announced plans to continue monitoring the distribution of counterfeit goods and conducting safety inspections to prevent consumer harm. Kim Myungseon, Director of Fair Economy at the Seoul Metropolitan Government, stated, "This inspection focused on ultra-low-priced products and confirmed that purchasing based solely on price can lead to significant harm in terms of safety or quality. Especially for products that come into close contact with the body, such as cosmetics and kitchenware, we urge consumers to prioritize safety over price and carefully check whether the seller is an official distributor and verify product information before purchasing."
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