Authenticity and sales circuit
Online shopping: identifying counterfeit indices
No single detail alone proves that a product is genuine. The most useful control links the seller, the distribution circuit, the consistency of the price, the description and the traceability available.
Quick response
Essential in a minute
Start by checking if the seller is identifiable and, when the brand publishes a list, whether it belongs to the authorized network. Compare the reference and price to the official channel, review the photos of the real product, packaging, finishes and warranty information. An abnormally low price, blurred origin, mistakes, copied visuals or pressure to pay off the platform must lead to giving up. Never buy a potentially dangerous product to have it evaluated after the fact.
1. From the seller and the channel
Look for the name, address, country, contacts and terms and conditions of sale. A marketplace sometimes houses a third party seller: pick up his identity and do not confuse the platform with the professional who is charging. Check the official website of the brand to find his resellers, alerts and the presentation of the reference. A recent social account, a domain close to the original or a payment requested in a courier do not constitute a reliable circuit.
- Vendor and countries identified.
- Authorized network consulted where it exists.
- Payment maintained in the official channel.
2. Test price, stock and business history
Compare exactly the same reference, the same condition and the same accessories. An extreme reduction on a rare novelty, a permanent stock of all sizes or a continuous emergency speech must be deepened. Ask for the origin of the product, the available invoice and warranty conditions without sending any unnecessary personal document. An explanation must be consistent with the seller's status: destocking, occasion or import do not automatically mean counterfeit, but require adequate proof.
- Price compared to the same reference.
- Commercial origin explained.
- Stock and discount plausible.
3. Examine the sheet and pictures without overinterpretation
Compare shape, materials, seams, colours, accessories, packaging and regulatory information with official sources. Look for photos of the product actually sold, consistent with each other and clear enough to see details. A poor fault or finish is an indication, not a definitive expertise. Conversely, a neat packaging, an official photo or a printed number can be copied. For safety products, electrical, cosmetic or medical, doubt must lead to not buying.
- Photos of the actual product obtained.
- Comparative details without unique evidence.
- Sensitive product excluded from any serious doubt.
4. Maintain evidence and use appropriate remedies
Keep the advertisement, vendor profile, messages, payment and photographs of the package. Don't try to sell a questionable item. Contact the seller or platform in writing and describe the deviations observed without altering the product. Public authorities and rights holders have channels to report. If the product presents a risk, stop using it and consult the official alerts. Any expertise must come from a competent interlocutor, not from anonymous comment.
- Archived announcements and exchanges.
- Product retained without resale.
- Signal oriented towards an official channel.
Compare
Indices to be crossed
| Area | Verification | Caution warning |
|---|---|---|
| Seller | Identity and network | Opaque profile or external payment |
| Offer | Reference, price, stock | Permanent extreme discount |
| Product | Coherent photos and details | Incoherent images or finishes |
| After purchase | Invoice and guarantee | No traceability |
Before you continue
Final checklist : Spot counterfeit products online
Check the points you actually checked. Checks stay in this page during the visit; they are not sent to the server. A checked point does not constitute a validation of the merchant.
Guide: Spot counterfeit products online · Révision éditoriale : 14 September 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Useful answers
Does a very low price prove a forgery?
No, but it is a sign to be compared with the seller, the reference, the circuit, the photos, the origin and the guarantee conditions.
Is a serial number sufficient to guarantee authenticity?
No. A number or packaging can be copied. Check the entire circuit and use the official procedures proposed by the brand when they exist.
Can we sell a product that has become a suspect?
A potentially infringing product should not be re-circulated. Keep the evidence and contact the appropriate platform, vendor and reporting channels.
To check
Reference sources and documentation
The editorial update date does not guarantee a new verification of each source. See the references for an individual situation or regulatory evolution.
- DGCCRF — CounterfeitingIndices related to the seller, price, product and conditions of sale.
- Customs — How to avoid counterfeiting?Risks, circuits and vigilance when purchasing.
Putting into practice
Explore relevant shops
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