UAE Imposes Strict 24-Hour Deadline for Suppliers to Clear Counterfeit Goods Under New Anti-Fraud Regulations

Suppliers operating in the UAE are now required to remove counterfeit, adulterated, or spoiled goods from the market within a strict 24-hour window following notification by authorities, according to new regulations designed to combat commercial fraud.

The Ministry of Economy and Tourism outlined these mandates while detailing the Executive Regulations of the UAE’s Anti-Commercial Fraud Law. Under the updated rules, businesses are prohibited from selling or displaying any products found in violation of the law. Affected items must be cleared from all shops and warehouses within 24 hours, and a public announcement must be issued in both Arabic and English within 48 hours. Furthermore, authorities hold the power to enforce even shorter deadlines if the targeted products present a direct risk to public health or the environment.

These sweeping rules apply to retailers across various sectors—including supermarkets, pharmacies, and online e-commerce platforms.

As part of federal oversight regarding commercial fraud, the ministry and local authorities conducted 10,023 inspections during the first three months of this year, uncovering 189 breaches. Safeya Al Safi, assistant undersecretary for the ministry's commercial control and governance sector, explained that the regulations are tailored to enhance consumer protection and market monitoring while adapting to modern trade shifts, notably the rapid expansion of e-commerce.

The framework also outlines formal protocols for seizing, detaining, and destroying counterfeit or adulterated items. When goods qualify for return to their country of origin or exporting country, suppliers typically have 30 days to complete re-exportation. All financial expenses related to the withdrawal, storage, or disposal of the products are chargeable to the supplier. Should a business fail to clear the goods within the mandated timeframe, authorities reserve the right to intervene and remove them directly at the supplier's expense. The Ministry of Economy and Tourism emphasized that these measures are intended to safeguard consumers, reinforce trust in UAE markets, and provide structured mechanisms for businesses to resolve disputes or contest regulatory decisions.