Customs Guides
Import and Export Cargo in UAE: A Business Guide
UAE import duty, 5% VAT, free-zone suspension, export Bayan, and how a Dubai freight forwarder runs the cycle.
Import and export cargo in the UAE sits under the Federal Customs Authority and each emirate’s customs, including Dubai Customs at Jebel Ali, the airports, and land borders. A trading licence (mainland or free zone) and a customs code are the starting point for regular commercial flows.
Elite Cargo runs the operational cycle: booking, documents, Dubai clearance, optional warehousing, and delivery or onward export. Legal entity setup is your corporate step; we move the cargo.
Importing into the UAE
Most mainland imports pay 5% customs duty and 5% VAT. Some HS codes differ. Free-zone entities can suspend duty while goods remain inside the zone. Moving those goods to the mainland usually triggers UAE duty. Restricted categories (food, telecoms, medicines, chemicals) need extra approvals before arrival.
Exporting from the UAE
File an export Bayan. Most exports have no UAE export duty. You still need invoice, packing list, origin certificate, and whatever the destination demands. GCC trade is often duty-free at destination with the right origin papers. China CEPA and other FTAs matter more on the import side into the UAE.
Re-export through Dubai
Importers bring Asian or European goods into Jebel Ali, store in a free zone, then export to Africa, the GCC, or the Levant. Documents must show the true commercial chain. For Jordan door-to-door after a UAE pickup, use the dedicated Jordan guide rather than this overview.
WhatsApp Elite Cargo on +971 54 706 0040 with HS code, origin, destination, and whether the cargo is free zone or mainland.
Related services and routes
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I need to import cargo into the UAE?
A UAE trade licence, a customs registration, the correct HS code, and a full document set. Most goods pay 5% duty plus 5% VAT unless a relief applies.
Do free zones pay UAE import duty?
Duty can be suspended while goods stay in the free zone. Duty and VAT usually apply when cargo enters the mainland.
Are there UAE export duties?
Most UAE exports have no export duty, which is why re-export through Dubai is common. Destination countries still levy their own import charges.
Can Elite Cargo handle both import and export?
Yes. We book freight, prepare documents, clear Dubai Customs, and arrange delivery or onward export including GCC and Jordan lanes.