UAE Gives Suppliers 24 Hours to Remove Counterfeit Goods Under New Anti-Fraud Rules
UAE Gives Suppliers 24 Hours to Remove Counterfeit Goods Under New Anti-Fraud Rules
The UAE has introduced new executive regulations for combating commercial fraud, giving suppliers up to 24 hours to withdraw counterfeit, adulterated and spoiled goods from markets and warehouses after receiving an official notification from the authorities.
The rules are contained in Cabinet Resolution No. 107 of 2026, which sets out the executive regulations for Federal Decree-Law No. 42 of 2023 on Combating Commercial Fraud. The resolution provides detailed procedures for product recalls, seizures, disposal and enforcement.
The new framework puts a clear time limit on suppliers once authorities determine that products covered by the commercial-fraud law need to be removed.
Suppliers Must Act Within 24 Hours
Once officially notified, a supplier must stop selling or displaying the affected goods and begin the withdrawal process.
The supplier must remove the products from markets and warehouses within 24 hours of receiving the notification. It must also notify the points of sale and other parties that received the goods and take steps to recover them.
The requirement applies to counterfeit products as well as goods that are adulterated or spoiled.
The UAE’s existing commercial-fraud legislation is aimed at preventing the circulation of counterfeit and fraudulent products and protecting consumers and businesses from commercial deception.
Authorities Can Step In
The regulations also establish what happens if a supplier does not complete the withdrawal within the required period.
Authorities can take action to withdraw the affected products during the following 48 hours, with the costs charged to the supplier.
The products can also be seized and placed in custody while the relevant procedures are completed. This prevents businesses from continuing to sell or dispose of goods that have already been identified for enforcement action.
This gives regulators a mechanism to move beyond issuing a recall notice when a supplier does not comply.
Public Announcements Within 48 Hours
The regulations also require suppliers to publicly announce the withdrawal of affected products within 48 hours of receiving the notification.
The announcement must be made in Arabic and English. Where the products pose risks to health, safety or the environment, the announcement period can be shortened.
Authorities can also issue public warnings about products subject to withdrawal, including information that helps consumers identify the affected goods.
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Rules Extend to E-Commerce
The new framework also takes account of goods sold through modern trading channels, including e-commerce.
That is important for counterfeit enforcement because products can reach consumers through online marketplaces as well as physical stores.
The regulatory framework provides for cooperation with relevant parties where fraudulent products are identified, allowing enforcement measures to cover products distributed through different channels.
More Than 10,000 Fraud Inspections in Q1
The new regulations come as UAE authorities continue to increase commercial-fraud inspections.
The Ministry of Economy and Tourism and competent local authorities conducted 10,023 commercial-fraud inspection visits during the first quarter of 2026, according to figures released by the UAE government.
The inspections resulted in 189 violations during the period.
The figures underline the scale of the enforcement activity taking place across the UAE as authorities target fraudulent and counterfeit products in the market.
What the Rules Mean for Suppliers
For suppliers, the most immediate requirement is speed.
Once an official withdrawal notification is received, businesses cannot continue selling the affected products while deciding what to do with them. The withdrawal process must begin immediately and be completed within the 24-hour period.
Suppliers must also be able to demonstrate that the required action has been taken and that affected products have been recovered from the relevant points of sale.
Failure to comply can result in authorities taking control of the withdrawal process, with associated costs falling on the supplier.
The regulations therefore give UAE authorities a more structured process for dealing with counterfeit and other fraudulent products, from the initial notification through withdrawal, seizure and final disposal.
For consumers, the main change is the speed at which products identified as fraudulent can be removed from circulation. For businesses, the rules create a clear compliance deadline once an official recall is issued.
Source: UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism
