Aussie shoppers are turning to Chinese websites to buy fake brand name products for a fraction of the price, with replicas so well-made they could fool almost anyone.
High-quality copies of clothing, bags, and shoes from luxury brands like Hermès, Louis Vuitton, and Chanel are available on platforms such as Sugargoo, Pandabuy, and Taobao.
These websites act as intermediaries, connecting customers with local Chinese sellers.
Many ns use these sites to buy counterfeit versions of popular sports brands such as Nike and Adidas, often referring to them as ‘replicas’ or ‘reps.’
Benjamin Luke Giles earns money by making videos on his social media channels about the replica products he buys.
Giles, who has spent a total $50,000 on counterfeit items, admits he has ‘an addiction to buying clothes.
Buying counterfeit products helps feed his shopping addiction while still leaving him money to pay for rent and other living costs, he explained.
‘Some of my friends’ shoes can go for $50,000. For that same price I’ve probably copped 300 pairs of shoes and 500 individual pieces of clothing. That’s for the same price someone has gone and wasted on a P.E. [player-exclusive shoe].
‘I’ve essentially taken that money and made it go further.’
In a video shared on his social media, Giles unpacked an enormous haul of replicas, which cost him just $400.
Giles explained it took seven days for the 30kg package to be shipped from China to his home in Western .
The counterfeit shopping haul included a Marc Jacobs tote bag, Prada sunglasses, Dior wallet, Cartier bracelet, a North Face puffer vest, Diesel bags and 10 pairs of replica Nike sneakers.
Giles even gives advice to other shoppers on how to avoid their packages being seized by customs.
‘Top-tier designer items are the most likely products to be seized by customs,’ he said.
‘Get a max of four shoes as they take up a lot of money, and the volume goes up, which is a lot more risk. Don’t ship below 2kg and not above 10kg.’
There are even designated Reddit groups for Sugargoo, Pandabuy and Taobao customers, who share pictures of their purchases and detail the quality, giving recommendations to others looking to buy the same item.
Buying cheap knock-offs might seem harmless, but purchasing pirated or counterfeit goods is illegal because it violates copyright and trademark laws, the n Border Force warns.
‘There can be a tendency to view these as harmless or victimless crimes, but this is misleading,’ an ABF spokesperson said.
‘Counterfeiting damages legitimate n industry by creating an unfair playing ground for businesses that do the right thing.’
The ABF explained counterfeit goods also include pharmaceutical and beauty products, and not just fake designer handbags, apparel and knock-off shoes.
‘Counterfeit goods also pose serious health and safety risks,’ the ABF said.
‘Funds from counterfeit smuggling can finance other criminality in our communities, including organised crime.
‘Criminal operations may also involve the exploitation of vulnerable workers, including victims of modern slavery, to produce counterfeit goods.’
The ABF works with intellectual property brand owners and policy agencies such as IP and the n Competition and Consumer Commission, state and territory regulators and international agencies to target counterfeit shipments.
Luxury items are the most commonly seized counterfeit goods, along with mobile phones and accessories, car parts, clothing, shoes, watches and toys.
The government body encourages public to help protect ‘s border by reporting any suspicious border-related behaviour and trade activity through its dedicated service known as Border Watch.
Replica sneakers – or ‘rep sneakers’ – are counterfeit or imitation versions of popular and expensive sneakers that are designed to resemble the original brand’s products.
The manufacture and sale of replica sneakers is illegal in , as they infringe upon intellectual property rights and trademarks of the original brands.
While replica sneakers may resemble the authentic versions in terms of design and appearance, there are usually significant differences in terms of quality, materials used, and craftsmanship.