DFS joins growing list of signatories to the Duty Free World Council and Tax Free World Association anti-illicit trade declaration

Another of the world’s largest global travel retailers, DFS, has today joined as a signatory to the Duty Free World Council and Tax Free World Association anti-illicit trade declaration – the seventh leading travel retailer to sign the declaration.

Part of the LVMH group and operating in important markets such as Europe, North America, China, Japan, and the wider Asia Pacific region, the addition of DFS to the declaration marks a major extension of the duty- and tax-free industry’s public commitment to combat illicit trade, counterfeiting and intellectual property theft.

DFWC and TFWA launched the anti-illicit trade declaration in July 2023. By signing the declaration, signatories commit to a zero-tolerance approach to illicit trade within their own organisation. 

Welcoming the decision of DFS to sign the declaration, DFWC President Sarah Branquinho said:

“The Duty Free World Council and Tax Free World Association were proud to launch the anti-illicit trade declaration in July of this year with a strong contingent of supportive retailer signatories at the outset.

The signature of DFS is a major addition to the declaration and can only serve to further strengthen it and set an example for other retailers and suppliers around the world. We now have seven of the largest travel retailers in the world signed up. In the months ahead we hope to bring further positive news as other retailers and brand owners commit to supporting the anti-illicit trade declaration.

Our industry boasts one of the most transparent, trusted, and secure supply chains in the world. Customers around the world shop in duty- and tax-free stores because they have complete trust in the provenance and authenticity of the quality products we sell. This campaign reaffirms that trust, and sends a clear message to our millions of customers around the world that they can shop with confidence in duty- and tax-free stores.”