The illegal trade in bearings does not always operate outside customs: in many cases it passes right through with proper documentation and real brands on the record. This CIMA Insight examines how global supply chains become vectors of counterfeiting, why conventional physical controls fall short of detecting it and how foreign trade data analysis can identify the warning signs that reveal these operations.

The illegal auto parts market in Colombia has become a major threat to the automotive industry, driven by smuggling, counterfeiting, and gray-market distribution channels. With losses exceeding USD 1.2 billion and a growing volume of counterfeit components circulating through both physical and digital marketplaces, the phenomenon creates significant economic, legal, and road safety risks for importers, distributors, workshops, and consumers.