Dubai Customs has intensified its fight against counterfeit products, seizing fake goods worth approximately Dh42.2 million during the first quarter of 2025. Officials conducted 68 operations targeting fake merchandise such as electronics, watches, clothing, bags, shoes, eyewear, and fabrics.
These figures reflect the emirate’s ongoing efforts to curb intellectual property (IP) violations. In 2024, a total of 285 IP-related seizures were reported, amounting to nearly Dh92.7 million. Alongside these enforcement actions, authorities also recorded the registration of 439 trademarks, 205 commercial agencies, and six intellectual property assets within the same period.
To bolster enforcement, Dubai Customs has partnered with law firms and organized awareness sessions to train 31 inspectors in identifying counterfeit goods and safeguarding IP rights. These efforts aim not only to protect brands but also to shield the public, economy, and environment from the impact of fake products.
“Intellectual property protection ensures that people and businesses can benefit from their innovations while reducing the harms posed by counterfeiting,” the authority noted.
Collaboration with other government bodies and brand owners continues to play a vital role in monitoring and preventing the entry of counterfeit goods into local markets.
Under UAE law, selling or possessing fake products carries stiff penalties. Article 49 of Federal Decree Law No. 36 of 2021 imposes fines ranging from Dh100,000 to Dh1 million and may include jail time or deportation. Traders found using or importing counterfeit items must prove they were unaware of the fake nature of the goods or that they had informed exporters accordingly.