Oman Launches Customs Recordal System to Enhance Intellectual Property Border Protection

Oman has implemented a customs recordal system that enables intellectual property owners to register their rights with the Omani Customs Authority. The new mechanism is designed to strengthen border enforcement by allowing customs officials to identify and take action against counterfeit and infringing goods before they are released into the local market.

This initiative brings Oman in line with several other jurisdictions that have adopted customs recordal procedures as an effective tool for protecting intellectual property rights at the border.

Key Features of the Recordal System

The customs recordal system allows rights holders to register their intellectual property rights in advance, providing customs authorities with the information needed to recognize and inspect potentially infringing shipments. As a result, customs officials can detect and detain suspected counterfeit goods at ports of entry, rather than relying solely on enforcement measures after the products have entered commercial circulation.

Rights holders may choose to record their rights for specific entry points—such as airports, seaports, land border crossings, free zones, duty-free areas, post offices, or bonded warehouses—or extend the recordal to cover all entry points throughout the Sultanate.

Each Customs recordal remains valid for one year and may be renewed for successive one-year periods.

Information and Documentation Required:

To complete a customs recordal application, rights holders are required to provide:

• The type of intellectual property right together with the relevant filing or registration number.
• Harmonized System (HS) codes covering the relevant products.
• A description of the goods, including the product category, country of origin, and manufacturer.
• The ports of entry to which the recordal should apply, or an indication that it should cover all ports.
• Where applicable, the exclusive importer’s registration number, name, telephone number, and email address.

The following supporting documents must also be submitted:

• A valid Power of Attorney expressly authorizing customs enforcement.
• Official registration certificates for the intellectual property rights to be recorded.
• Product identification materials, photographs, or other guides that enable customs officers to distinguish genuine products from counterfeit goods.

Importance of Customs Recordal:

Border enforcement is widely recognized as one of the most effective methods of preventing counterfeit products from reaching consumers. By recording intellectual property rights with Omani Customs, rights holders equip customs officials with the necessary information to identify protected products, inspect incoming consignments, and detain suspected infringing goods before they enter the marketplace.

Businesses that manufacture products outside Oman and import them into the Sultanate should consider customs recordal as an important component of their intellectual property protection strategy. It is also advisable to review existing Powers of Attorney to ensure they expressly authorize customs-related enforcement actions.

For further information, please contact us at [email protected]