Latest news with #inspectionteams
The National
4 hours ago
- Business
- The National
Dubai Customs seizes 18 million cigarettes in clampdown on smuggled and counterfeit goods
officers have seized more than 35 tonnes of illicit goods, including 18 million cigarettes, stashed at air cargo centres. Officials said the illegal haul comprised counterfeit, smuggled and other non-compliant items, in an operation that lasted three months. Customs teams captured 12 million smuggled cigarettes, 6.7 million counterfeit cigarettes, 37,110 non-compliant cosmetic products, 10,520 counterfeit versions of global brands and 3,632 unauthorised electronic parts. Authorities said they used advanced technology to help uncover the vast collection of illegal goods and strike a blow against smuggling and commercial fraud networks. Dr Abdulla Busenad, director general of Dubai Customs, praised the inspection teams for foiling the large-scale criminal activities and safeguarding the public from fake goods. 'We have advanced systems and technologies to intercept and target suspicious shipments, a highly skilled inspection team and a customs intelligence department with extensive expertise in data analysis and shipment monitoring," said the senior official. "Our cutting-edge scanning and inspection devices send a clear message to anyone attempting to manipulate the trade system: our strategy focuses on becoming a global leader in secure customs operations while strengthening the region's role as a hub for legitimate trade, enhancing national security, protecting trademark owners, driving the national economy and supporting Dubai's vision and economic agenda.' Dr Busenad highlighted the challenges facing customs authorities across the globe in combating smuggling plots amid the rapid growth of the air cargo transport sector. Staying vigilant Sultan Al Suwaidi, director of Air Cargo Centres, said extensive checks are in place across the supply chain to tackle an evolving threat. 'We thoroughly check all parcels using advanced scanning systems," he said. "When suspicion arises, items undergo detailed manual inspection. "Our inspectors are experts in reading and analysing X-ray images and data from inspection devices, and we continuously develop their skills through specialised training courses. "These ongoing inspection campaigns are key to combating smuggling and counterfeit goods, strengthening investor confidence and protecting global brand rights.' Yousef Mubarak, director of the Intellectual Property Rights Department, said staff are highly trained in the latest detection methods to spot sophisticated counterfeit techniques. The large-scale seizure represents the latest success by Dubai Customs to protect the emirate's borders by land, air and sea. In March, Dubai Customs thwarted an attempt to smuggle almost 150kg of "narcotics and psychotropic substances" into the emirate. The drugs were found hidden in cargo at a "strategic seaport", the authority said. Customs said the drugs were discovered with the help of the K9 unit.
Zawya
a day ago
- Business
- Zawya
UAE: FTA collects $97.2mln in taxes, fines in H1 2025
The Federal Tax Authority (FTA) has intensified its oversight efforts this year by conducting inspection campaigns across markets in the UAE, in cooperation with the relevant authorities. These efforts aim to enhance tax compliance, protect consumer rights, and combat tax evasion to ensure adherence to tax laws and procedures. In a press release issued today, the FTA announced that its inspection teams conducted a record of 85,500 field visits during the first half of this year as part of its campaigns which was conducted across local markets nationwide. The number of inspections increased by 110.7%, compared to the first half of 2024, during which 40,580 visits were conducted. The Authority also clarified that the total value of taxes and fines collected during these inspections reached AED357.22 million, a significant rise from AED191.75 million collected during the same period in 2024. This represented an increase of 86.29%. The Authority indicated that during field inspection visits related to excise tax in the first half of 2025, over 17.6 million non-compliant excise goods were seized, compared to 7.2 million in the same period of 2024, resulting in an increase of 144.44%. It further explained that 11.52 million packs of non-compliant tobacco products lacking Digital Tax Stamps and not registered in the Authority's electronic system were confiscated – more than double the 5.52 million non-compliant packs seized during the same period last year, marking a 108.7% increase. Additionally, the FTA seized 6.1 million other non-compliant excise goods, including soft drinks, energy drinks, and sweetened beverages. This figure is over 3.5 times higher than the 1.74 million packages of such goods seized in the first half of 2024, showing an increase of more than 250%. Sara AlHabshi, the Tax Compliance Executive Director of the Tax Affairs Sector at the FTA, emphasised the Authority's intensified efforts to monitor taxpayers' adherence to tax laws and procedures across all transactions. These efforts aim to combat tax evasion and protect consumers from the illegal circulation of taxable products that fail to meet approved quality standards in the market. She stated, 'The Authority utilises the latest digital technologies which continually enhances tax compliance and improve the efficiency of regulatory actions. These technologies are critical in monitoring and inspecting smuggled goods that fail to meet tax requirements for circulation in the UAE market.' AlHabshi further explained, 'The Authority is committed to conducting continuous inspection campaigns across UAE markets, in cooperation with relevant authorities and strategic partners. This is part of our broader mission to strengthen market oversight. These efforts rely on control mechanisms that ensure the highest standards of governance and transparency, while improving the efficiency of inspection operations, with the aim of preventing the sale, circulation, or storage of products that violate tax legislation.'
Zawya
5 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Oman: Campaign launched at Dhofar fuel stations to ensure service quality
SALALAH: Amid the surge in tourism activity during Khareef Dhofar 2025, mobile laboratory teams are continuing intensive field inspections of fuel pumps across the governorate to ensure accuracy of quantities and quality of service for consumers. According to the inspection teams, the campaign has so far covered 45 fuel stations across Dhofar, comprising 210 fuel dispensers. A total of 429 technical checks have been carried out to verify calibration and compliance with approved standards, resulting in violations being recorded at four stations, with legal action taken in accordance with regulations. The campaign is part of an expanded monitoring plan during the Khareef season, when fuel demand increases due to heightened tourism and economic activity. The aim is to strengthen field supervision, safeguard consumer rights, and maintain uninterrupted service delivery. Authorities confirmed that inspections will continue throughout the season, with intensified checks and prompt response to any complaints, ensuring all stations comply with technical and quality standards. 2025 © All right reserved for Oman Establishment for Press, Publication and Advertising (OEPPA) Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Asharq Al-Awsat
21-06-2025
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Tourism Ministry Intensifies Inspection Efforts in Summer Tourist Destinations
The Saudi Ministry of Tourism has intensified its inspection efforts across several summer tourist destinations in the Kingdom, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Saturday. These inspections aim to ensure that hospitality facilities hold the necessary licenses from the ministry and comply with approved quality standards, coinciding with the launch of the Saudi Summer season. The inspection tours covered multiple regions and cities, including Aseer, Al-Baha, Taif, and Jeddah, over the past two months. The ministry's inspection teams conducted more than 2,800 visits to summer destinations. The visits assessed the quality of services provided, the availability of safety requirements, and cleanliness levels, while also confirming that facilities had obtained the necessary licenses to operate. The ministry emphasized to all hospitality establishments, including private facilities, the importance of delivering high-quality services and adhering to its approved regulations. It stressed that violators will face penalties, which may include fines of up to SAR1 million, closure of the facility, or both.
Khaleej Times
05-06-2025
- Health
- Khaleej Times
Up to Dh20,000 fine: UAE begins crackdown on illegal abattoirs ahead of Eid Al Adha
Civic bodies across the country have launched a massive crackdown to combat the illegal slaughter of animals in homes, sandy areas, and other unauthorised locations during Eid Al Adha. Authorities are urging residents to use only accredited abattoirs, warning that violators will face hefty fines ranging from Dh5,000 to Dh20,000. The move is aimed at curbing unhygienic practices and safeguarding public health, as inspection teams intensify monitoring efforts throughout the Eid holidays. Municipalities in Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah, and Umm Al Quwain have announced the deployment of inspection teams starting Friday, with monitoring to continue intensively throughout the Eid holidays. The unified effort targets individuals and unlicensed butchers operating outside official slaughterhouses, where safety and hygiene protocols are not observed. Officials warn that these unauthorised practices not only violate municipal regulations but also pose severe risks to public health and the environment. They encourage residents to use accredited public abattoirs, which ensure veterinary supervision, proper waste disposal, and adherence to Islamic slaughtering standards. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. Unified system In Sharjah, Khalifa Bughanem Al Suwaidi, director of the Control and Inspection Department, emphasised that inspection teams will be operating under a unified system to detect and penalise violations. 'Despite ongoing awareness campaigns, many residents still fall for these illegal services, which can lead to meat contamination, disease spread, and unsanitary conditions,' he said. Sharjah Municipality stressed that its licensed slaughterhouses follow strict hygiene guidelines, with all animals examined by veterinarians before and after slaughter. Qualified butchers, identifiable by uniforms and official ID cards, ensure that the process meets health and safety standards. Streamlined process In Ajman, the municipality has established a livestock market adjacent to the official abattoir to streamline the legal process for residents purchasing animals. Khaled Al Hosani, Head of the Health Directorate, said the initiative is aimed at reducing reliance on illegal butchers. 'This allows people to choose sacrificial animals and proceed directly to the abattoir, without resorting to unsafe, unauthorised alternatives,' he explained. Khaled Mueen Al Hosani, Director of the Health Department, warned that at-home slaughtering can result in zoonotic disease transmission and significant environmental harm. 'Testing animals at municipal abattoirs allows for early detection of disease and ensures meat safety,' he added. Slaughterhouses are ready Fujairah Municipality echoed these concerns. Director General Mohamed Saif Al Afkham warned that random slaughtering in unqualified settings often lacks the most basic health standards, leading to increased risks of contamination and disease. 'Unlicensed butchers operate without veterinary supervision, posing a real threat to consumers,' he said. The municipality confirmed its readiness for Eid, equipping slaughterhouses with sufficient veterinarians and technicians and intensifying field inspections to catch violators. Veterinary teams will remain on high alert throughout the holiday. Only certified butchers In Umm Al Quwain, Maitha Jassim Shafi, Director of the Environment and Public Safety Protection Sector, said that all abattoirs in the emirate will operate daily from 6am to 7pm. The new livestock market in the Al Abraq area, near Union Bridge, will feature on-site veterinary services to examine animals before and after slaughter. 'We urge all residents to use accredited abattoirs, where certified butchers operate under health supervision. It is the only way to guarantee meat is safe for consumption,' she said. Residents are encouraged to report illegal activities to their respective municipalities to help maintain public health and safety during the festive period. The message from civic authorities is clear: cutting corners with illegal butchers this Eid could cost far more than money; it could endanger health, violate the law, and compromise the sanctity of the occasion. Residents are urged to make responsible choices, support licensed services, and celebrate Eid Al Adha with safety, dignity, and peace of mind.
