UAE: Over 900,000 counterfeit goods seized in 2020

The Intellectual Property Rights Report for the year 2020, which was issued recently by the Federal Customs Authority, said that the counterfeit items were identified in 41 seizures.

According to the report, counterfeit goods seizure by marine or sea transport represented 70.7 per cent of all total seizures, followed by air cargo at 19.5 per cent. Land transport and regular courier mail accounted for 4.9 per cent.

Ali Saeed Matar Al Neyadi, Commissioner of Customs and Chairman of the FCA, said combating counterfeit goods and protecting intellectual property rights is among the top priorities of customs teams in the country.

“Efforts have been made by the authority and local customs departments to fight fake products so as to protect the society, consumers, brand owners and the private sector,” he said.

“The UAE has a clear and exhaustive strategy to tackle counterfeit goods and fight trade fraud.”

According to the official, customs institutions in the UAE are the most crucial entities mandated with protecting intellectual property rights in world trade. This comes in light of the responsibilities and powers charged to them by virtue of GCC unified customs laws.

“UAE has put intellectual property rights protection on the top of its strategic priorities as a part of its vision to build a knowledge-based economy in line with Emirates Vision 2021,” added Al Neyadi.