The European Commission says the continent’s customs officials last year seized more than 100 million pieces of fake goods that could have earned about $1.4 billion if sold as authentic products.

In an annual report issued Thursday, the European Union’s executive body says China was the source of 85 percent of the fakes. Substantial quantities also came from Turkey, Thailand, Hong Kong and India.

The report says nearly 80,000 incoming packages were seized in 2010, containing counterfeit cigarettes, clothing, toys and medicines.

Algirdas Semeta, the EU’s customs commissioner, said the number of goods seized in the postal traffic has tripled from 15,000 to more than 48,000 since last year. He said the increased number reflects a growing number of online purchases.

Semeta said the 27-nation bloc will continue to step up efforts in cooperation with international partners to stop products that violate intellectual property rights from entering EU markets.