Saudi Arabia Launches "Tahaqaq" Platform: Digital Customs Trademark Recordal Becomes Mandatory

Release Time：2026-07-20 09:59Author：Views：0

In early July 2026, the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP) launched Tahaqaq, a centralized electronic platform designed to digitize, restructure, and accelerate trademark enforcement at the Kingdom's borders.

From informal to regulated

Previously, Saudi Customs monitored trademarks through an informal, notification-based practice. Tahaqaq replaces that with a formal, regulated customs recordal framework, strengthening the interception of counterfeit imports at points of entry.

How it works

1. "No Registration, No Alerts": Rights holders must electronically record each existing registered trademark per mark and per class on the Tahaqaq platform to receive automated customs alerts. Unrecorded marks will no longer trigger proactive notifications.

2. Onboarding: Must be done through authorized representatives; requires a copy of the Trademark Registration Certificate plus a notarized / legalized or apostilled Power of Attorney.

3. Rollout: The platform is in a "soft launch" phase, currently accepting records prefixed "TM-". An initial ~2-month transition window supports system stability and user onboarding; full implementation across all Saudi ports may take up to ~6 months, after which the legacy mechanism is integrated or replaced.

4. Enforcement flow: On intercepting suspect goods, Customs may allow conditional release upon the importer's legal undertaking (not to sell / distribute / alter pending investigation), retain samples at port, and upload high-resolution photos and shipping documents to the platform — automatically notifying the brand owner's local agent. A signed confirmation letter from the rights holder verifying counterfeits triggers formal seizure and referral to the Public Prosecution. Rights holders may choose a Public Prosecution route (authorities act independently, limited visibility) or a parallel litigation route (civil claim triggers parallel criminal proceedings with full visibility).

What it means for business

For brands operating in Saudi Arabia or exposed to Middle East counterfeiting risk, proactive recordal on Tahaqaq is now effectively mandatory to maintain border watch. Unrecorded trademarks lose automated customs alerts.

Source: Asia IP

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