Saudi Customs has threatened tough action against companies that import fake goods into the Kingdom, similar to the measures against firms falling under the Arab economic boycott of Israel, said a source at the department. It also warned it will crack down on customs clearance offices who provide incorrect information and customs inspectors who accept such data without recording the names of the companies importing fake items. There will be particularly harsh penalties for repeat offenders, according to a report in Al-Hayat Arabic daily. Saudi Customs also plans to again start using automated inspection devices to counter attempts to import fake goods into the Kingdom. He stressed that the department will punish anyone found guilty of violating intellectual property rights and copyright laws. He said the department has adopted a number of precautionary measures, similar to steps taken by the customs' Data Center to monitor firms listed under the Arab League's Arab economic boycott of Israel. He said the department is coordinating its activities with the auditing administrations in compiling reports about the activities of violating companies. This includes checking computer data about imported and exported goods and tallying them with the original documents such as the Letter of Credit and Bill of Lading. In line with these measures, he said the Anti-Commercial Fraud Section at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and its branch at Saudi Customs are tasked with entering the names of the banned companies, based on a monthly report issued by Saudi Customs. He said punitive action will be taken against companies with a history of dumping goods on Saudi markets. This will include starting an investigation under the World Trade Organization's regulations.
