What documentation do I need for counterfeit goods in United Arab Emirates?

No import permits available; UAE Customs seizure receipt issued.

ITEM RULE · TRAVELING

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Counterfeit Goods 🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates

Q: Can I bring Counterfeit Goods to United Arab Emirates?

Active IP enforcement at customs 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.

PROHIBITEDVERIFIED · 2026-04-25HIGH CONFIDENCE

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Active IP enforcement at customs

ANSWER

Can I bring Counterfeit Goods into United Arab Emirates?

PROHIBITEDVERIFIED · 2026-04-25HIGH CONFIDENCE

Active IP enforcement at customs

QUANTITY / LIMITS

Any quantity prohibited under Federal Law No. 37 of 1992 (Trade Marks Law); criminal penalties apply even for personal use

DOCUMENTS

No import permits available; UAE Customs seizure receipt issued

DECLARATION

Required at the destination customs authority

SOURCE

fca.gov.ae

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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.

ENFORCEMENT

Active — Customs actively enforces this rule.

PRACTICAL ADVICE

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.

OFFICIAL SOURCES · VERIFIED 2026-04-25

fca.gov.ae dubaicustoms.gov.ae

RULE DETAILS

QUANTITY LIMITS

Any quantity prohibited under Federal Law No. 37 of 1992 (Trade Marks Law); criminal penalties apply even for personal use

DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED

No import permits available; UAE Customs seizure receipt issued

LEGAL REFERENCE

UAE Federal Trademark Law

CUSTOMS AUTHORITY

Federal Customs Authority (FCA)

SHOW AT CUSTOMS

Printable customs card →

AIR TRAVEL IS SEPARATE

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.