More than 3.5 million items of smuggled goods have been seized in the emirate, Dubai's Federal Tax Authority announced.
Inspectors found fraudulently packaged and concealed tobacco and beverage products were being smuggled into the UAE market.
Among the haul were 1.56 million packets of cigarettes, 1.77 million packages of electronic smoking devices and accessories, 111,360 packets of raw tobacco, 4,000 packets of shisha tobacco, 121 packs of nicotine pouches, and 4,600 packs of taxable beverages.
These have been seized and confiscated, while a tax assessment is under way and corresponding fines applied. The tax due on the products was equivalent to Dh133.2 million ($36.2 million) and legal action has been taken against non-compliant establishments.
The FTA inspection team found the cache of illegal goods hidden in shipments of clothing and footwear.
To avoid penalties for non-compliance, the authority said producers, importers and stockists must adhere to the country’s tax regulations.
The FTA confirmed it uses advanced electronic control mechanisms to battle tax evasion, including the application of digital tax stamps on tobacco and smoking-related products. Each stamp contains electronically registered data, which FTA inspectors verify to ensure the appropriate tax has been paid.
