Leading travel retailers sign global industry zero-tolerance declaration on illicit trade

The 'Duty Free: Trusted, Transparent, Secure' campaign

The Duty Free World Council (DFWC) and Tax Free World Association (TFWA) have welcomed the first cohort of duty free and tax free retailers signing a new zero-tolerance declaration on illicit trade, counterfeiting and intellectual property theft. The declaration has been created as the next step of the "Duty Free: Trusted, Transparent, Secure" campaign, which was previously jointly launched by DFWC and TFWA in June 2022.

Travel retailers ARI, Dubai Duty Free, Dufry, Gebr. Heinemann, Lagardère Travel Retail, and Qatar Duty Free are the first to sign this initiative, with more retailers expected to join in the near future. The initial signatories of this project collectively account for approximately US$25 billion of travel retail sales (2019) and rank among the largest and most successful duty- and tax-free retailers in the world.

The DFWC and TFWA anti-illicit trade declaration is an individual public commitment by duty and tax-free retailers and suppliers against illicit trade, counterfeiting and intellectual property theft in all its forms. By signing this declaration, retailers commit to a zero-tolerance approach to illicit trade within their own organization. They are also requesting their suppliers follow suit with a clear policy against illicit trade. This builds on the commitments already made by a number of duty and tax-free retailers through the UN Global Compact.

This commitment will be a key tool to demonstrate a united front and will further demonstrate that the duty and tax-free industry is in no way associated with the growing problem of illicit goods fraudulently labeled as duty free.

“There is no place in our industry for companies that engage in illicit trade," said DFWC President, Sarah Branquinho. "Illicit trade in all its forms causes substantial societal harm, and costs our industry significant lost sales opportunities. It can also cause our industry reputational harm when illicit or counterfeit goods are fraudulently mislabeled as ‘duty free’ in an attempt to lend authenticity to the product. Ultimately, consumers should be aware that when they purchase goods labeled as duty free outside of a licensed duty free retailer, it is very likely to be a counterfeit product.

“Our industry already boasts one of the most transparent, trusted and secure supply chains in the world. We are proud of our industry’s credentials and commit to maintaining these high standards. Today, some of the major players in our industry are making clear their ongoing stance against illicit trade and will be encouraging their suppliers to follow suit. There can be no room for doubt – the duty and tax-free industry has zero tolerance for illicit trade in all its forms. We want to send a clear message worldwide – when you shop in a duty free shop, you can do so with complete confidence!

“Our announcement today builds upon the decades of trust that we have built up with our customers, governments, customs authorities, and industry partners. DFWC, TFWA and the initial signatories are keen to grow the momentum behind this initiative and are confident the industry will be fully behind it.”