United Arab Emirates

Dubai Customs Contacts

Website: http://www.dubaicustoms.gov.ae/en/Pages/default.aspx

Email: client.relations@dubaicustoms.ae 

Address: Dubai Customs Headquarters, Al Mina Road, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, PO Box 63 Dubai

Telephone: +9714 417 7777

The United Arab Emirates is a country situated in the southeast end of the Arabian Peninsula on the Persian Gulf, bordered by Oman, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Iran. The UAE is a member of the International Chamber of Commerce, Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, World Customs Organization, World Trade Organization and other international organizations.

Tariffs

A customs duty of 5% is generally levied on imported goods (a number of categories are exempt, some agricultural products and pharmaceuticals) and luxury goods such as tobacco is 50-70%.

A number of UAE ‘free zones’ have been established, where customs duties are not payable, such as Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) or Jebel Ali port. Goods may only be imported by an entity which is registered in the UAE.

Import restrictions

Only companies in the UAE that have the appropriate trade licence can import products into the country. Import controls exist for a number of products including alcoholic beverages, pork and pork products, medicinal substances, printed matter such as magazines and videos, photographic material, firearms and fireworks.

The entry of many kinds of products has been banned in accordance with the local values, religious beliefs and morals. The following items are prohibited:

• goods manufactured in Israel
• pornographic literature

Special permission is required for the import of:

• alcohol
• drugs
• firearms
• ammunition and explosives
• agricultural pesticides
• industrial alcohol-denatured
• methyl alcohol
• methylated and medicated spirits

Product certification, labelling and packaging

Packing, marking and labelling

Goods should be packed to provide protection against extreme heat and humidity, storage in the open and possible unloading into lighters.

The UAE Ministry of Health requires all pharmaceutical imports to be carried under temperature controlled conditions of 25 degrees centigrade.

Outer containers should bear the consignee's mark and the port mark in Arabic, this is essential, as most wharf labourers cannot read English.

Labels of imported goods/food need to have the following standard information and should be in English and Arabic:

• product and brand
• ingredients, in descending order of proportion
• additives using their 'E' numbers (group names are also accepted)
• the origin of all animal fats
• net contents in metric units
• production and expiry date
• country of origin
• manufacturer's name and address
• special storage and preparation instructions, if any

Documentary requirements

Required documents for clearance:

- Valid and relevant trade license copy

- Delivery order from the shipping or line agent

- Commercial invoice

No prescribed form. Certification by an approved authority may be requested. The invoice must indicate:

• country of origin
• a full description of the goods, including net and gross weights, unit and total value, and details of the packing and should match the details on the bill of lading
• name of the manufacturer

- Bill of lading

The appropriate tariff number should be shown. This should ensure the correct freight rate is applied to the items shipped.

Original copy must be furnished (two original copies minimum).

Original bill if ladings have to be endorsed by the shipper. In case they are not endorsed, a full set (usually three) of originals need to be surrendered to the line.

- Packing list

A packing list is required, but there is no prescribed format. 

- Certificate of origin

The certificate of origin must include the name and address of the manufacturer.

At the time of clearance, in case of original commercial invoice, if the certificate of origin and packing list is not available, clearance can be affected on the strength of photocopies and a deposit, which can be claimed back if the originals are submitted within 60 days of filing the bill of entry.

Public health requirements

Livestock are inspected upon arrival.

Agricultural pesticides may only be imported by a registered importer holding a valid import licence.

Imports of pharmaceutical products are subject to specific transport regulations.

Food containing cyclamates is prohibited from entering Abu Dhabi and although there is no legislation prohibiting such food from entering Dubai, the practice is not encouraged.

Sources:

http://www.dubaicustoms.gov.ae/en/Procedures/CustomsDeclaration/Pages/Export.aspx 

http://www.dubaicustoms.gov.ae/en/Procedures/CustomsDeclaration/Pages/Import.aspx