Counterfeit Goods 🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates
Active IP enforcement at customs
Can I bring Counterfeit Goods into United Arab Emirates?
Active IP enforcement at customs
Any quantity prohibited under Federal Law No. 37 of 1992 (Trade Marks Law); criminal penalties apply even for personal use
- No import permits available; UAE Customs seizure receipt issued
Required at the destination customs authority
Full details
UAE Federal Customs Authority seizes counterfeit goods at every port of entry under Federal Law No. 7 of 2002 on Copyrights and Neighboring Rights and Federal Law No. 37 of 1992 on Trademarks. Dubai Customs' IP Rights Protection Department is particularly active, with public seizure reports showing multi-million-dirham operations across counterfeit fashion, pharmaceuticals and electronics. Penalties include confiscation, fines from AED 10,000 per offence and potential imprisonment for commercial quantities.
PENALTIES
- Fine: 50000–500000 AED
- Imprisonment up to 120 months
- Criminal penalty
Active — Customs actively enforces this rule.
Leaving United Arab Emirates with counterfeit goods
Exporting counterfeit goods from United Arab Emirates is unlawful under trademark and customs legislation — counterfeits are contraband in both directions, and customs authorities seize them at exit as well as entry. Travellers carrying obviously fake branded goods (even for personal use) risk confiscation universally and fines in many jurisdictions; the EU, US, and others also seize inbound personal counterfeits. Market purchases of imitation goods should be assumed seizable at any border crossed.
Do not carry counterfeit branded goods into United Arab Emirates. Dubai/Abu Dhabi Customs seizes counterfeits at all ports of entry under IPR enforcement rules; commercial-quantity carriage attracts criminal-trafficking charges in addition to civil forfeiture.
Any quantity prohibited under Federal Law No. 37 of 1992 (Trade Marks Law); criminal penalties apply even for personal use
- No import permits available; UAE Customs seizure receipt issued
UAE Federal Trademark Law
This page covers destination customs rules in United Arab Emirates. Whether you can carry counterfeit goods through security, in carry-on, or in checked baggage depends on airline and screening rules — see air travel rules.
Counterfeit Goods rules in other countries
Counterfeit Goods
🇺🇸 United States
Seizure and penalties for counterfeit goods
Counterfeit Goods
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
Illegal to import counterfeit goods
Counterfeit Goods
🇩🇪 Germany
EU-wide seizure regime applies
Counterfeit Goods
🇯🇵 Japan
Strict IP enforcement; zero tolerance
Counterfeit Goods
🇨🇦 Canada
Counterfeit Goods import prohibited
Counterfeit Goods
🇦🇺 Australia
Counterfeit Goods import prohibited