Authorities in the United Arab Emirates have warned consumers that buying spoiled, contaminated, or counterfeit goods could put them in legal hot water.
In accordance with Cabinet Decision No. (107) of 2026, the Anti-Commercial Fraud Law’s revised Executive Regulations include this clause. According to the rules that went into effect last month, both customers and sellers who knowingly deal with illegal goods may be subject to repercussions.
Safeya Al Safi, Assistant Undersecretary for the Commercial Control and Governance Sector at the Ministry of Economy and Tourism, told Khaleej Times that all parties who knowingly engage in fraudulent trade could face consequences during a media briefing to review the law. However, she disclosed that the penalties have not been specified.
She clarified that the penalties imposed by the law are graded. “The penalty can go as the last step,” she replied. “As a result, there will be warnings before licenses may be temporarily revoked. Penalties will be applied gradually.
This clause attempts to deter demand for counterfeit goods, which authorities claim compromise market integrity and can seriously endanger the health and safety of consumers, particularly when it comes to food items, medications, cosmetics, or other regulated commodities.
Traders who are shown to have known, or should have known given their line of work, that the goods were rotten, contaminated, or counterfeit may also face administrative sanctions.
