Dubai Customs recycles 18 million counterfeit items

The production of fake goods is harmful to the environment, and they are often seized and destroyed

Counterfeit goods seized in Dubai are being recycled by Dubai Customs. Andrew Henderson / The National

Dubai Customs has helped brand owners recycle almost 18 million counterfeit items to reduce the harmful impact on the environment of the illegal fake goods trade.

Mr Mubarak said that Dubai Customs have conducted 130 seizures in the first half of 2018 of goods with an estimated value of Dh35.523 million, and has organised 43 awareness workshops.

While fake goods cause problems for brands and customers, their production is also harmful to the environment, which can be to no avail if the goods are then seized by police or brands and destroyed.

"Perhaps intellectual property rights-holders are most likely to feel the pinch of this rogue industry, but everyone is liable to be affected by counterfeiting and piracy," commented Yousef Ozair Mubarak, director of the Intellectual Property Department at Dubai Customs.

"The damage caused by counterfeit goods to the economy, environment and even perhaps our overall quality of life should be something of a given for most people.

"We provided a viable option for brand owners to dispose of these counterfeit goods without compromising the environment. This helps them protect their brands and enhance their international competitiveness," he said.

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