EUIPO IP Enforcement Portal: A Guide for EU Brand Owners
If counterfeit goods bearing your brand are entering the EU, there is a legal mechanism specifically designed to stop them at the border. Most brand owners know it exists. Far fewer actually use it correctly.
The EUIPO's IP Enforcement Portal (IPEP) is the EU's central platform for managing customs enforcement of intellectual property rights. Since October 2024, its use has been mandatory for filing electronic Applications for Action (eAFAs) across all 27 EU Member States. If you hold an EU trademark or registered design and counterfeit goods are slipping into your markets, this is the official tool that puts customs authorities on notice to intercept them.
This guide explains how IPEP works, what you need to get started, and where customs enforcement ends and digital brand protection begins.
Key takeaway: IPEP is a free, legally grounded tool. But it only covers physical goods at the EU border. Everything happening online, on marketplaces, social media, and fake websites, requires a separate enforcement strategy.
What Is the EUIPO IP Enforcement Portal?
IPEP is a free, secure, multilingual platform operated by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO). Its legal basis comes from Regulation (EU) No 386/2012, which established the mandate of the EU Observatory on Infringements of Intellectual Property Rights.
In practical terms, IPEP does two things:
- It allows rights holders to file and manage customs Applications for Action (AFAs), the formal requests that authorize EU customs authorities to detain suspected counterfeit goods at the EU's external border.
- It serves as a communication hub connecting rights holders, enforcement authorities, the EU Commission, and eCommerce marketplaces, all in one place, in 23 languages.
The platform is integrated with COPIS (the anti-Counterfeiting and anti-Piracy Information System), the EU's central customs database. When you file an AFA through IPEP, the information is automatically shared with customs authorities in every Member State you have selected.
This is significant. A single Union AFA, filed once in one Member State, can have legal effect across all other EU countries you specify. You do not need to file separately in each country.
What Is an Application for Action (AFA)?
An Application for Action (AFA) is the formal request you submit to customs authorities asking them to detain goods they suspect are infringing your intellectual property rights. Under Regulation (EU) No 608/2013, customs can only act on your behalf at the border once a valid AFA is in place.
National AFA vs. Union AFA
There are two types, and the distinction matters:
- National AFA: Covers enforcement in a single Member State only.
- Union AFA: Submitted in one Member State, and if granted, applies across all other Member States you have named in the application. This is the more efficient option for brands operating across multiple EU markets.
Key facts about AFAs
- Filing is free of charge.
- An AFA is valid for one year and can be extended and updated.
- As of 3 October 2024, all AFAs must be submitted electronically. Paper applications are no longer accepted as the primary route.
- The eAFA is automatically generated in all relevant Member State languages when filed through IPEP.
- Germany and Spain maintain their own national trader portals, but IPEP covers all 27 Member States.
How to Get Access to IPEP
Accessing IPEP requires a few things before you can file your first AFA:
- A valid EU trademark or registered design. This is the basis on which your IPEP account is created.
- An EORI number (Economic Operators Registration and Identification). Issued by the customs authority in the EU country where you are established. Non-EU businesses request one from the customs authority in the country where they first lodge a declaration.
- The correct access role. You need the "cust-executive" profile to interact with customs via COPIS.
- Authentication. Log in via your IPEP credentials or through the EU Customs Trader Portal (UUM&DS).
Legal representatives can access IPEP on behalf of rights holders and manage multiple accounts from a single login, which is useful for IP law firms and brand protection agencies.
Once registered, the portal guides you through entering your product information, IPR details, and contact data. Customs officers can then search this in real time when they identify suspect shipments at the border.
What Happens After You File an AFA?
Once your AFA is granted, customs authorities in the applicable Member States are authorized to detain shipments they suspect contain goods infringing your IP rights. Here is how the process unfolds:
- Customs officers identify a suspect shipment at the EU external border.
- They search IPEP or COPIS in real time to find your product and IPR information.
- If a match is found, they can detain the goods and notify you through the portal.
- You then have a defined window to confirm whether the goods are infringing and whether you want to pursue destruction or further legal action.
Small consignments
There is a specific procedure for small consignments, such as individual parcels shipped directly to consumers. Customs can destroy these goods without requiring you to initiate full legal proceedings, provided the goods are suspected counterfeits, are not perishable, and are covered by a valid AFA decision.
This matters because a significant volume of counterfeit goods now enters the EU through small parcel channels, often from overseas marketplaces shipping directly to buyers.
Staying current
Your AFA needs to be renewed annually. All amendments, extensions, and withdrawals must also go through IPEP. The portal sends notifications about detentions and relevant updates, so keeping your contact information and product data accurate is essential.
Where IPEP Ends and Online Brand Protection Begins
IPEP is a genuinely useful tool, and every EU brand owner with a registered trademark should have an active AFA in place. But it has a hard limit: it only applies to physical goods crossing the EU's external border.
It does not cover:
- Counterfeit listings on marketplaces like Amazon, Alibaba, or Zalando
- Fake websites impersonating your brand
- Unauthorized sellers operating through grey market channels
- Social media accounts using your name, logo, or images without authorization
- Infringing ads running on search engines or social platforms
The majority of brand abuse today happens online, before goods ever reach a border. A counterfeit product listed on a marketplace reaches buyers without triggering any customs check. A fake website collecting payments in your brand's name operates entirely outside the border enforcement system.
The real risk: relying solely on customs enforcement means the other channels remain unmonitored.
At Remove.tech, we work with brands to close that gap. Our platform monitors search engines, marketplaces, domains, social media, and ad networks 24/7, detecting and removing counterfeit listings, fake accounts, unauthorized sellers, and impersonation attempts automatically. Clients typically see takedown rates improve by up to 3 to 5 times compared to manual processes, with organizations saving between 30 and 70% on legal fees.
IPEP handles the border. Remove.tech handles everything else.
FAQ
What is the EUIPO IP Enforcement Portal (IPEP)?
IPEP is the EU's official platform for managing customs Applications for Action (AFAs) and facilitating communication between rights holders, customs authorities, and enforcement agencies. It is operated by the EUIPO and is free to use. Since October 2024, electronic submission through IPEP has been mandatory for rights holders in all 27 EU Member States.
Who can use IPEP?
Any rights holder with a valid EU trademark or registered design can register for IPEP. Legal representatives, such as IP law firms or brand protection agencies, can also access the platform on behalf of their clients and manage multiple accounts from a single login.
What is an Application for Action (AFA) and how long does it last?
An AFA is a formal request to EU customs authorities to detain goods suspected of infringing your intellectual property rights at the EU border. It is valid for one year, free to file, and can be extended and updated as needed. A Union AFA, filed once in one Member State, can apply across all other Member States you specify.
Does IPEP protect against online counterfeiting?
No. IPEP is specifically designed for physical goods crossing the EU's external border. It does not address counterfeit listings on online marketplaces, fake websites, unauthorized sellers, infringing social media accounts, or digital piracy. Online brand abuse requires a separate enforcement approach.
How does Remove.tech complement IPEP for EU brand owners?
Remove.tech's brand protection platform monitors the digital environment around the clock, covering marketplaces, search engines, social media, domains, and ad networks. It automatically detects and removes counterfeit listings, fake accounts, unauthorized sellers, and impersonation attempts. While IPEP focuses on the physical border, Remove.tech addresses the online channels where most brand abuse now occurs. You can request a free brand audit to see what is currently showing up under your brand name online.
Do I need an EORI number to use IPEP?
Yes. To access the IPEP Trader Portal for COPIS, rights holders need a valid EORI (Economic Operators Registration and Identification) number and the appropriate system role. EORI numbers are issued by the customs authority in the EU country where you are established.
Filing an AFA through IPEP is a smart, cost-free step that every EU brand owner with a registered trademark should take. It activates customs as a partner in your enforcement strategy and gives you legal coverage at the EU's physical entry points.
But the brands that suffer the least damage from counterfeiting and impersonation are the ones that treat border enforcement and online enforcement as two parts of the same strategy, not alternatives.
If you want to understand what is currently happening to your brand online, a free brand audit is a good starting point. There is no obligation, and it takes around two minutes to request. Find out more at remove.tech/brand-protection.
