Customs officers found 11,842 fake and smuggled items while checking two containers shipped from China to the Varna West checkpoint, the Varna customs office said.

Customs intelligence staff picked the two containers for a full check after a risk analysis. Paperwork showed both held mixed cargo sent by sea from China for import into Bulgaria.

In the first container, officers found 1,200 undeclared keyrings and 350 decorative mirrors with frames showing cartoon characters whose images are protected by copyright. The mirrors had been declared.

In the second container, officers found 9,792 packs of perfume copying a protected brand and 500 toiletry bags carrying a luxury brand's logo, mixed in with goods that had been declared.

The 1,200 undeclared items now face fines. The other 10,642 fake perfumes and accessories have been seized under EU Regulation 608/2013 on protecting trademarks, and the brand owners will be told.