Counterfeit HP ink toners and cartridges seized in India

Law enforcement authorities in India with support from HP’s Anti-Counterfeiting initiatives Counterfeit have seized HP products worth INR 30 crore (3.6m USD) during Nov 2022-Oct 2023 in India, according to the HP Anti-Counterfeiting and Fraud (ACF) report. Almost 440,000 illicit items, mainly counterfeit toner and ink cartridges, were seized, with Mumbai being a focal point where over 100,000 items were confiscated.

HP’s Anti-Counterfeiting and Fraud (ACF) Program is aimed at protecting markets and consumers from counterfeits of HP products, while also raising awareness about the scale and severity of the fraudulent printing supplies market in India. While counterfeit ink and toner cartridges might look like HP originals, they are often of poor quality. They can come with several significant risks such as sub-standard printout quality, printer downtime and extra costs due to counterfeit cartridge leakage and loss of money due to non-functioning counterfeit cartridges.

Sunish Raghavan, senior director, printing systems, HP India, said: ‘We are committed to protecting our valued customers in India from counterfeit products through our Anti-Counterfeiting and Fraud Program. This initiative ensures that individuals receive authentic HP products, upholding quality standards and safeguarding consumer interests. Through initiatives like the Customer Delivery Inspection service, we empower customers to verify the authenticity of their printing supplies, instilling confidence and peace of mind. Collaborating with law enforcement agencies and ongoing awareness initiatives, we strive to combat counterfeiting, preserve customer trust, and uphold industry standards.’

Some notable ACF seizures of local enforcement authorities in India, supported by HP, include the following examples from 2023:

• In February 2023, authorities in Mumbai disrupted a counterfeit cartridge manufacturing and online selling scheme seizing approximately 25,000 illicit items, including counterfeit cartridges and components.
• In March 2023, officials in Delhi and Mumbai conducted two rapid enforcement actions, halting large-scale operations producing counterfeit printing supplies for HP printers. Approximately 14,000 illicit items were seized during these raids.
• In April 2023, authorities in Kolkata conducted targeted raids at two locations, disrupting assembling operation of counterfeit ink and toner cartridges for HP Printers. Over 17,000 illicit items, including ready-for-sale counterfeit cartridges, were confiscated.
• In May 2023, authorities in Mumbai cracked down on two operations dealing in counterfeit printing supplies for HP printers. In a series of major raids spanning over ten days, they confiscated over 45,000 illicit items from the markets.
• In June and July 2023, Indian officials conducted raided two operations in Mumbai, engaged in counterfeiting printing supplies for HP printers seizing over 9,000 illicit items.
• In October 2023, Indian officials thwarted a scheme to manufacture and sell counterfeit printing supplies for HP printers in Mumbai seizing a total of around 11,000 illegal items.

In India, HP offers its free Customer Delivery Inspection (CDI) service, primarily designed for corporate customers such as enterprises and public-sector institutions. If customers suspect counterfeits in a large or mid-sized printing supplies delivery, they can request a free inspection, offered as a non-binding invitation by HP. In 2023 alone, HP conducted about 300 Customer Delivery Inspections for customers in India (referring to 12 months ending 31 October 2023).

The company runs its dedicated Anti-Counterfeiting and Fraud (ACF) Program which takes decisive actions against counterfeit printing supplies for HP printers. Among others, HP works with enforcement authorities around the world to help them seize counterfeit products, for example providing intelligence and guidance.