UAE Opens Class 33 for Alcoholic Beverage Trade Marks

16 Sep 2026
#Conferences

The UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism and the Trade Mark Office have started accepting trade mark applications in Class 33 for alcoholic beverages. The new practice has taken immediate effect.

Until now, Class 33 was unavailable for trade mark registration in the UAE in accordance with local policies and regulatory requirements. As a result, owners of wine, spirits and other alcoholic beverage brands have often relied on Class 32 as part of their brand protection strategy in the UAE.

The new procedure has been introduced in line with the UAE’s obligations and procedures under the Madrid Protocol, which the country joined in 2021. Its implementation is intended to further align the UAE trade mark registration system with the requirements of the Madrid System.

This development reflects the evolution of the UAE’s intellectual property framework and its further alignment with international standards. For beverage brand owners, it also provides an opportunity to review their existing trade mark protection strategies in the UAE.

What will happen to existing Class 32 registrations?

Brand owners do not necessarily need to refile their entire portfolios. Many beverage companies have existing Class 32 registrations in the UAE that have been in place for several years and, in some cases, have already been renewed multiple times. These registrations reflect the options available when Class 33 was not accepted for registration and may continue to be relevant as part of an overall brand protection strategy.

At the same time, for core trade marks, key brands and commercially important product names, brand owners should now consider filing separate applications directly in Class 33. Where appropriate, rights holders may also gradually expand their Class 33 protection while maintaining their existing Class 32 rights.

Will Class 32 rights be taken into account when examining Class 33 applications?

This is one of the key practical questions arising from the change in practice.

When examining trade mark applications, the UAE Trade Mark Office takes previously registered rights relating to connected goods and classes into account. Therefore, existing Class 32 registrations may also be relevant when subsequent Class 33 applications are examined, particularly where the relevant rights were acquired before Class 33 became available for registration.

At the same time, the specific approach to the interaction between rights in Classes 32 and 33 will become clearer as more applications are examined under the new practice.

Brand owners for whom alcoholic beverages represent a key product category should already consider whether direct filing in Class 33 is appropriate.

What has changed for Class 32?

The changes affect not only Class 33. Under the Nice Classification, Class 33 covers alcoholic beverages, except beer, while beer falls under Class 32.

Previously, when applications were filed in the UAE, references to alcoholic products in Class 32 could be excluded or amended. Beer in Class 32 is now also available for trade mark filing.

This means that beer brand owners now have the opportunity to protect the relevant marks directly in relation to goods falling within Class 32.

Trade mark protection and permission to sell are not the same

It is important to note that opening Class 33 is a change specifically concerning trade mark registration. Registration of a trade mark in Class 33 does not, in itself, authorise the import, distribution, advertising or sale of alcoholic beverages in the UAE.

Such activities remain subject to the applicable regulatory and licensing requirements at both the federal level and in the relevant Emirate.

Accordingly, trade mark registration provides legal protection for the brand but does not replace the permits and licences required to commercialise the relevant products.

What does this mean for brand owners?

The opening of Class 33 creates a new opportunity for alcoholic beverage brand owners to obtain national trade mark protection in the UAE directly in respect of the relevant goods.

Companies that already have international Class 33 registrations or are planning to enter the UAE market should consider reviewing their trade mark portfolios. In particular, they should assess:

  • existing Class 32 registrations;
  • the need to file applications in Class 33;
  • potential conflicts with previously registered trade marks;
  • whether their specifications of goods correspond to their actual and planned business activities.

At the same time, the new practice is only beginning to develop. Certain issues, including the interaction between existing Class 32 rights and new Class 33 applications, will become clearer as examination practice develops.

Zuykov and Partners can assist you with registering your brand in the UAE: Trade Mark Registration in the UAE

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