INTERNATIONAL. The Duty Free World Council (DFWC) and Tax Free World Association (TFWA) have joined with regional associations to launch a global campaign, ‘Duty Free: Trusted, Transparent, Secure’ against illicit trade, counterfeit goods and intellectual property theft.
The campaign will highlight the industry’s stance against, and dangers of, the illicit trade in counterfeit goods. The associations are urging governments to do more, and to collaborate with the industry in fighting this “growing threat”.
They said that, like many other industries, duty & tax free loses millions of dollars in sales opportunities each year due to criminal counterfeiting, intellectual property theft and illicit trade.
They noted that the duty and tax free channel is “one of the most trusted, transparent, secure and legitimate supply chains in the world and products sold in travel retail shops are authentic, genuine and traceable”.
DFWC President Sarah Branquinho said: “I am delighted to mark the launch of this important campaign. The duty and tax free industry has a zero-tolerance approach to counterfeiting, intellectual property theft and illicit trade, and we are proud that our industry has one of the most secure and transparent supply chains in the world. Our retailers and brand owners lose millions in lost sales opportunities each year to the criminals who control illicit trade, and we urge governments around the world to collaborate with our industry on this important issue.”
She added: “Duty and tax free retailers worldwide stand shoulder to shoulder with our brand-owner colleagues, and those on the front line in the fight against these crimes.”
TFWA President Erik Juul-Mortensen said: “TFWA, together with key industry leaders, is honoured to be part of this joint global campaign against all illicit trade, counterfeit goods and intellectual property theft. The duty and tax free industry is keen to establish effective working partnerships with other industries, key agencies and intergovernmental organisations to continue to tackle illicit trade in all its forms.”
At an online media briefing on Wednesday, Sarah Branquinho explained the background. “There has been a huge societal shift during the pandemic, where consumers and business like ours have been thinking much more about sustainability and authenticity. That aligns with the campaign we are announcing today.
“We want to reinforce the message to consumer and enforcement agencies that what we sell is authentic, and importantly communicating just how transparent and secure our industry supply chains are. We aim to demonstrate how hard we work in this space, and to find new ways to collaborate with government agencies to support their work.
“It’s important to note that all of the regional associations have got behind this, there is strong retailers support and of course the brands that TFWA represents are very active in cracking down on counterfeit and illicit trade.”
Erik Juul-Mortensen said: “TFWA is all about brands so we are doing all we can to fight these illicit activities. As far as counterfeit and smuggling is concerned, TFWA has long been active in combating it. We were co-signatories of the Declaration of Cannes, covering ten countries, on fighting illicit trade. That was very effective.”
On how the messages are disseminated to consumers and industry, Branquinho said: “It will give our industry solid background to pass onto their end consumers. It can also reinforce the brand authenticity quest for our retailer and airport partners.”
TFWA Managing Director John Rimmer added: “We are positioning our industry as a partner to governments that we are supporting entirely the fight against illicit trade. We represent the brands who are the first victims and most affected by these practices. We are part of the solution and proud of the fact that we are trusted and transparent and secure.”
Branquinho concluded: “It’s time to call time on these illicit practices, to stand together and to ensure we are seen as transparent, trusted and secure.”
More information on the campaign can be found at www.dutyfreefacts.info
