Dubai Customs holds counterfeit goods workshop for cruise passengers

Dubai Customs has held an educational event at the Hamdan bin Mohammed Cruise Terminal (Dubai Cruise Terminal) for more than 5,100 cruise tourists to promote intellectual property rights protection and its efforts to prevent the traffic of counterfeit goods.

The event aimed to provide comprehensive information on Dubai Customs procedures, the fight against counterfeit goods, and the safeguarding of intellectual property rights for cruise tourists visiting Dubai and sailing from the city.

Dubai Customs is aiming to acquaint cruise tourists with local laws to prevent the entry of counterfeit goods into the country, while also playing a crucial role in thwarting such attempts at the borders of the Emirate of Dubai, the primary cruise port in the Middle East.

The awareness team emphasized the health and safety risks posed by counterfeit goods and the financial losses incurred by traders and investors. Tourists were handed brochures with information on intellectual property rights protection using QR technology.

Dubai Customs recently received a five-star rating for best practices in inspecting cruise ship baggage, and during the previous 2022/23 cruise season it processed 1.8 million bags for over a million passengers.

The current 2023/24 cruise season will end in March after welcoming around 150 cruise ships, carrying more than 1 million cruise passengers, consolidating Dubai’s position as a global tourist destination.

“Our efforts to enlighten cruise ship passengers about the fight against counterfeit goods are an integral part of our ongoing initiatives to raise awareness and involve the community in combating such products,” said Saeed bin Faris, the head of Awareness and Education at the IPR Department of Dubai Customs.

“The teams dedicated to awareness and education continue their outreach activities, conducting events in crucial community locations,” he added.

Dubai is a popular shopping destination for cruise ship passengers, alongside its status as a destination for culture and entertainment.

Dubai’s tax-free shopping policy significantly enhances its appeal, allowing tourists to purchase goods without the added cost of sales tax, making high-value items like electronics, jewelry, and designer fashion more affordable.

Seasonal shopping festivals, such as the Dubai Shopping Festival and the Dubai Summer Surprises, offer deep discounts, live entertainment, and raffles, attracting visitors worldwide. These festivals not only provide unique shopping opportunities but also showcase Dubai’s rich cultural heritage.