Published: July 2026
Oman has introduced a customs recordal system allowing intellectual property owners to register their rights directly with the Omani customs authorities for border-protection purposes.
The new mechanism strengthens the enforcement of intellectual property rights at Oman’s borders by providing customs officers with advance information about protected products. This will assist the authorities in identifying, inspecting and detaining suspected counterfeit or infringing goods before they are released into the local market.
The development represents an important enhancement to Oman’s intellectual property enforcement framework and brings the Sultanate into closer alignment with other regional jurisdictions that operate customs recordal systems.
How the Customs Recordal System Works
Rights holders may submit details of their registered intellectual property rights to the customs authorities in advance. Once recorded, the information may be used by customs officers to identify potentially infringing shipments arriving at Oman’s ports of entry.
Each approved customs recordal will remain valid for one year and may be renewed for further one-year periods.
Rights holders should provide clear and practical product-identification materials, including information concerning packaging, labels, security features, serial numbers and other characteristics that may assist customs officers in examining suspicious consignments.
Importance for Brand Owners
Customs recordal is a proactive enforcement measure that allows rights holders to address counterfeit goods before they enter commercial circulation. It can be particularly valuable for businesses whose products are manufactured outside Oman and imported through multiple ports or distribution channels.
Brand owners with registered intellectual property rights in Oman should consider incorporating customs recordal into their broader anti-counterfeiting and enforcement strategies.
Existing Powers of Attorney should also be reviewed to ensure that they expressly authorise customs recordal, border enforcement, inspections, detention requests and related proceedings before the Omani customs authorities.
The implementation of the new system reflects Oman’s continuing efforts to strengthen intellectual property protection, support legitimate trade and prevent counterfeit goods from entering the Sultanate.
For further information or assistance with customs recordal, anti-counterfeiting measures or intellectual property enforcement in Oman, please contact ATB Intellectual Property at [email protected] or visit www.atb-ip.com