Counterfeit goods

How to identify counterfeit goods

Counterfeit products can be hard to spot. Here are some common signs to look out for across different product types.

Perfume

  • No outer wrapping
  • No batch code numbers
  • Poorly printed text on the bottle or packaging

CDs and DVDs

  • No title or name on the disc
  • No outer wrapping
  • Photocopied inlay cards

Clothing

  • Poor stitching or logo embroidery
  • No branded labels on the neck or inside the item
  • No branded tags
  • Photocopied certificates

Alcohol

  • No batch number
  • Crooked labels
  • Inconsistent fill levels
  • Spelling mistakes on the label

Page last modified: 3 September 2025

Trading Standards

Businesses - contact Trading Standards by email for a range of advice. Consumers - contact Advice Direct Scotland's www.consumeradvice.scot service on 0808 164 6000

Address: 38 Harbour Road
Inverness
IV1 1UF