33 Tons Counterfeited Spare Parts Marketed in Algeria

The Union for the Algerian Craftsmen and Traders (UGCAA) has rung the alarm vis-à-vis the increase of counterfeited spare parts being marketed in the local market, as 50 percent of the imported 60 thousand tons of spare parts are immitation copies.

The spokesman for the union said the UGCAA, Mr Taher Boulenouar, said the number of spare part vendors has increased, as they come second after tobacco dealers.

Mr Boulenouar further mentioned that Algeria spare part imports increased in 2011 to hit 60 thousand tons, of which 33 thousand tons are counterfeited copies manufactured in China, Arab United Emirates, Indonesia, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. 

In 2009, 1513 operators imported 43700 tons of spare parts for 496 million USD, the source said, noting that the increase of the vehicles circulating in Algeria, to 6 million units, has prompted the soar of spare part imports and importers. 

In 2011, there have been 10913 spare part importers, comparing to 9913 in 2010, while the whole number of spare part dealers is estimated at 32 thousand vendors. 

Customs have seized 3920 tons of spare parts in 2011, either for forging the original manufacturing place, forging the name of the manufacturer, or absence of the trade mark on the spare part. 

Specialists say some traffic accidents are provoked by the use of non original spare parts in cars.