Illicit trade and private business

Abstract

Both an economic activity and a crime, the sale of goods in violation of applicable law, known as illicit trade, has recently been enhanced by globalisation and digitalisation, which have helped to embed illicit flows of goods in regular ones. This is a dangerous and fast growing phenomenon that companies cannot ignore. On the one hand they could involuntarily be associated with or even support this crime either when purchasing goods stemming from illicit trade or when providing financial or logistical support to illicit traders. On the other hand they could be harmed by the unfair competition of illicit trade when counterfeited, tax evading or dangerous, non-compliant products challenge their regular sales. Companies have to respond. However, they should not do this alone. They can work together and with national and international public organisations. Nevertheless responding to illicit trade is not just about avoiding being an accomplice of that crime or addressing irregular competition, it is also about ensuring corporate social responsibility. Illicit trade does not just harm the operations of companies, it has a wider social and economic impact; Markets are disrupted, consumers are confused and could buy dangerous counterfeited products, while states cannot collect taxes and social charges.