United Arab Emirates

Distributing a product

Organizations in the retail sector

Market access procedures

International Conventions

Member of World Trade Organisation
Party to the Kyoto protocol
Party to the Washington convention on International trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora
Party to the Basel convention on the Control of Transboudary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their disposal
Party to the Montreal protocol on Substances that deplete the Ozone Layer

Non tariff barriers

There is a ban on irradiated food imports, and alcohol and pork imports undergo drastic quotas. It is to be known that every basic product of beef and fowl when imported must be accompanied by a certificate of hygiene given by the country of origin.
The United Arab Emirates are a part of the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC). In 1981, the GCC created an agreement (Unified Economic Agreement) on which any agricultural, animal, industrial products or any natural resources of the member states were exempt from customs duties or any other charge when they trade together. The members of this council are Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain , Qatar and Oman. The GCC is currently conducting business negotiations with the European Union, Japan and USA in order to sign future agreements on free trade.

Customs classification

There is a common customs duty for the United Arab Emirates. The customs duties account for 4% of the CIF value (cost, insurance freight) of the goods or services. Further, the customs tariff includes a list of products or goods, exempt from customs duty. There is no need to pay these customs duties on food products entering Jebel Ali free zone and Al Awir terminal.

Besides, goods entering the Duty Free Storage Area (DFSA) at Rashid port are not taxed. These duties can be settled according to different forms. Once these are paid, the duties cannot be reimbursed (except if there is an error from UAE Authorities). But in all cases, the duties are levied by the authorities when an import takes place. There are also customs duties the rates of which range between 25 and 50% for alcohol and tobacco.

Import procedures

There is a common customs duty for the United Arab Emirates. The customs duties account for 4% of the CIF value (cost, insurance freight) of the goods or services. Further, the customs tariff includes a list of products or goods, exempt from customs duty. There is no need to pay these customs duties on food products entering Jebel Ali free zone and Al Awir terminal.

Besides, goods entering the Duty Free Storage Area (DFSA) at Rashid port are not taxed. These duties can be settled according to different forms. Once these are paid, the duties cannot be reimbursed (except if there is an error from UAE Authorities). But in all cases, the duties are levied by the authorities when an import takes place. There are also customs duties the rates of which range between 25 and 50% for alcohol and tobacco.

For further information

Organizing goods transport

Ports

The airline company Emirates
The airline company Gulf Air
Dubaï's airport
Dubaï's harbour authority

Airports

Sea transport organizations

Air transport organizations

Road transport organizations

Rail transport organizations