RAK sharpens counterfeit goods warning

Ras Al Khaimah’s economic regulator has stepped up public and business awareness over counterfeit goods, warning that fake products threaten consumer safety, undermine legitimate traders and expose offenders to serious legal action.

The Ras Al Khaimah Department of Economic Development, through its Commercial Control and Protection Department, carried out an awareness campaign titled “Protect Your Products from Counterfeiting” as part of wider efforts to curb the sale of fake goods and strengthen trademark protection across the emirate. The initiative focused on helping business owners, retailers and consumers recognise the risks linked to counterfeit products and report suspicious activity through official channels.

The campaign comes as enforcement agencies across the UAE intensify scrutiny of commercial outlets, warehouses and online sales channels suspected of dealing in goods bearing unauthorised trademarks. Counterfeit products are no longer confined to luxury handbags, watches or fashion labels. They now include cosmetics, electrical items, children’s toys, car parts, mobile accessories, household goods, perfumes, medicines and food-related products, raising the stakes for regulators and consumers.

RAK DED has treated trademark protection as both a consumer-rights issue and a market-integrity priority. Earlier inspection activity in Ras Al Khaimah led to the seizure of 666,255 counterfeit items from 71 shops and commercial outlets, with an estimated market value of more than Dh31 million. The department also handled 937 consumer complaints in 2025, with an administrative resolution rate of about 95 per cent, indicating a broader shift towards complaint-based intelligence and targeted field inspections.

The “Protect Your Products from Counterfeiting” campaign urged business owners to take a more active role in protecting their brands by registering trademarks, monitoring distribution networks and alerting authorities to unauthorised sellers. It also encouraged consumers to examine packaging, product labels, warranty cards, pricing patterns and sales channels before making purchases, especially when goods are offered at unusually low prices or through informal online accounts.

Counterfeit products pose risks beyond brand infringement. Fake cosmetics may contain unsafe chemicals, imitation electrical goods can carry fire hazards, uncertified car parts may compromise road safety, and counterfeit medicines can lack active ingredients or contain harmful substances. Children’s products and toys are of particular concern because poor manufacturing standards can lead to choking, toxicity or injury risks.

The UAE’s legal framework gives regulators and enforcement bodies wide authority to act against trademark violations and commercial fraud. Federal Decree-Law No. 36 of 2021 on Trademarks provides penalties for forgery and unauthorised use of registered marks, including imprisonment and fines that can reach Dh1 million in serious cases. Commercial fraud provisions can also apply where fake goods are sold as genuine products, with penalties extending to fines, licence action and seizure of goods.

Ras Al Khaimah’s campaign reflects a wider policy direction across the UAE, where economic departments, customs authorities and consumer protection bodies have been increasing inspections and public messaging. Abu Dhabi authorities disclosed that counterfeit and non-compliant goods seized in 2025 during trademark-protection campaigns exceeded Dh1.8 million in value, while the estimated value of goods linked to resolved consumer complaints was about Dh28 million. These figures point to a regulatory environment in which consumer complaints, brand-owner alerts and market surveillance are increasingly being connected.

The global scale of counterfeiting has added urgency to local campaigns. International trade in counterfeit and pirated goods was estimated at about $467 billion in 2021, equal to 2.3 per cent of global imports. The expansion of e-commerce, social-media selling and cross-border parcel delivery has made enforcement more complex, with counterfeiters able to move goods through small consignments, temporary accounts and informal logistics networks.

For Ras Al Khaimah, the challenge is tied closely to its commercial growth. As the emirate attracts more retailers, logistics operators, manufacturers and tourism-linked businesses, authorities are seeking to ensure that market expansion is not accompanied by weaker controls over product authenticity. Enforcement is therefore being combined with education, because many small traders may not fully understand the legal exposure that comes with handling goods bearing protected marks without authorisation.

Brand owners are also under pressure to improve internal controls. Clear supply-chain documentation, product authentication tools, distributor audits and fast reporting of suspected infringements can strengthen enforcement outcomes. Technologies such as QR verification, tamper-proof seals, serial-number checks and digital product passports are becoming more common in sectors vulnerable to imitation.