China is once again facing scrutiny over counterfeit exports after European authorities intercepted more than 200,000 fake condoms allegedly shipped from the country. According to investigators, the products were falsely labelled as “toys” in shipping documents in what appears to have been an attempt to evade the European Union’s strict medical device inspections.

International Desk: The European Union’s Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) has uncovered a major shipment of counterfeit condoms originating from China. Investigators say the products were deliberately misdeclared as “toys” instead of medical devices, allowing the consignment to bypass mandatory safety checks before entering the European market.

The investigation found that the official customs paperwork classified the condoms as toys, enabling the shipment to avoid the rigorous testing and certification required for medical devices under EU regulations.

European officials warned that counterfeit condoms which have not undergone proper quality testing pose serious public health risks, including sexually transmitted infections (STIs), unintended pregnancies, and other medical complications. In the EU, condoms are regulated as medical devices and must pass strict leakage, quality, bacterial, safety, sizing and expiry tests before they can be sold. Investigators say this shipment bypassed those safeguards.

Authorities seized large consignments of the fake condoms in Romania, Serbia and Spain during the operation.

Officials also revealed that the counterfeit products were being sold under the name and logo of a well-known brand in an apparent attempt to deceive consumers. The brand’s identity has not been disclosed to protect the ongoing investigation. Working with Chinese authorities, OLAF has identified the suspected exporter, although officials have not released further details while enquiries continue.

European investigators said the case highlights the sophistication of international counterfeit trafficking networks and the continuing challenge of preventing unsafe products from reaching consumers.