Strengthening IP enforcement through Team Europe: EUIPO organises a study visit for Moldovan and Ukrainian customs

The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), in the framework of the EU-funded EU4IP project, organised a study visit to Croatia from 30 September to 2 October 2025 for customs officials from the Republic of Moldova, and Ukraine. The visit aimed to strengthen cross-border cooperation and alignment with EU standards in the enforcement of intellectual property (IP). 

Supported by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Taxation and Customs Union (DG TAXUD), the three-day visit was hosted by the Customs Directorate – Central Office of the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Croatia and included on-site sessions at key border points. Participants explored practical applications of Regulation (EU) No 608/2013 concerning customs enforcement of IP rights, focusing on critical areas such as the management of Applications for Action (AFAs), the use of COPIS (Customs IP System), and procedures related to detention, seizure and the destruction of counterfeit goods. 

The programme also addressed broader enforcement challenges, including identifying the origin of goods and tackling the impact of trade routes and illicit shipments on cross-border IP enforcement. These exchanges provided an opportunity for Moldovan and Ukrainian customs to engage directly with EU peers and deepen their understanding of operational tools and practices essential for protecting IP rights at borders. 

Through this cooperation-driven initiative and by pursuing a Team Europe approach, the EUIPO is contributing to building more resilient enforcement networks and a business environment that reflects EU practices. The study visit reaffirmed the EUIPO’s commitment, through EU4IP, to reinforcing institutional capacity in EU candidate countries and ensuring alignment with EU IP enforcement policies and frameworks.