Customs seized over 168K counterfeit items in a year

abu dhabi— A total of 168,251 counterfeit items have been seized across the country in 2019, according to the latest report issued by the Federal Customs Authority (FCA).

This number is slightly lower than the 169,587 items seized in 2018. The limited decline has been attributed to the increase of small consignments seized in regular and courier mail, under the increasing growth of the e- commerce movement.

The FCA, along with the local customs departments in the country, has recorded 67 seizures of fake items throughout the year, higher than the 63 seizures in 2018. The goods were all found to have infringed intellectual property rights (IPR).

“In the UAE, we have a clear and exhaustive strategy in place, stemming from our wise leader’s directives to tackle counterfeit goods and fight trade fraud,” said Ali Saeed Matar Alneyadi, commissioner of customs and chairman of FCA.

“The UAE has put IPR 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.”

Products seized

The FCA’s IPR report classified seizures in accordance with product type, indicating that 37.31 per cent of seizures falls under the miscellaneous category, while hand luggage accounted for 29.85 per cent.

Mobile phones and accessories followed with 11.94 per cent, then garments with 7.46 per cent; perfume and shoes, 4.48 per cent each; and 1.49 per cent each for accessories, lenses, glasses, water and jewellery. —