Customs
Customs clearance and documentation
Most shipments that go wrong go wrong on paper. We file the declarations, classify the goods, and make sure the invoice, packing list and certificate say the same thing before customs notices that they do not.
- Import · export · transit · re-export
- Jebel Ali, Port Rashid, DXB, DWC, SHJ
- HS classification & duty planning
What we file
Import declarations
Goods entering UAE customs territory, with duty and VAT calculated and paid on your behalf.
Export declarations
Goods leaving the UAE, with the export certificate and supporting documents your buyer needs.
Transit & re-export
Free zone entries and exits, referencing the original entry with the correct outbound classification.
Free zone transfers
Movements between free zones, and free zone to mainland conversions when goods are sold locally.
Restricted & controlled goods
Permits from the relevant UAE authority for food, pharma, cosmetics, telecom equipment, chemicals and dual-use items.
HS classification & duty planning
Correct tariff codes, applicable duty rate, exemptions and GCC preferential treatment where it applies.
The document set
A clean UAE customs file is usually the same short list. What separates a two-hour clearance from a two-day one is whether the documents agree with each other and with the cargo actually in the container.
- Commercial invoice with a real description, unit prices and Incoterm
- Packing list with weights, dimensions and package counts that match the cargo
- Bill of lading or air waybill consigned to the right party
- Certificate of origin, attested where the destination requires it
- Delivery order from the carrier or their agent
- Import or export permit for restricted commodities
- MSDS and DG declaration for hazardous goods
- Conformity certificates — ESMA, SASO, SFDA and similar, depending on the commodity and market
How we clear a shipment
Document review before arrival
We check the file while the cargo is still in transit, so discrepancies are fixed before they become a customs query.
Classification
HS codes confirmed against the actual goods, not copied from the supplier's invoice. Misclassification is the most common cause of penalties.
Declaration filed
Import, export, transit or re-export declaration lodged with Dubai Customs through the appropriate channel.
Duty, VAT and inspection
Charges calculated and settled. If the shipment is selected for inspection, we attend and represent you.
Release and delivery order
Cargo released, delivery order obtained, trucking arranged to your warehouse or onward carrier.
Customs FAQ
What is the UAE import duty rate?
The GCC common external tariff is 5% on most goods, calculated on CIF value. Some categories are zero-rated, some — tobacco and alcohol in particular — carry far higher rates, and goods re-exported from a free zone pay no UAE duty at all.
Do I pay VAT on imports?
UAE VAT is 5%. Registered businesses can normally account for import VAT through the reverse charge mechanism rather than paying it at the border. Goods in a designated free zone are outside the scope until they enter the mainland.
Who is responsible if the HS code is wrong?
The importer of record, which is why we classify against the goods rather than accepting the supplier's code. A wrong code can mean underpaid duty, a penalty, and a shipment held while it is reassessed.
Can you clear a shipment I arranged with another forwarder?
Yes. Customs brokerage is available as a standalone service; we do not need to have carried the cargo.
How long does clearance take?
With a complete and consistent file, typically a few hours to one working day. Inspections, restricted commodities and permit applications add time.
Can you get a certificate of origin?
Yes, through the Dubai Chamber of Commerce, with legalisation and attestation where the destination country requires it.
Related searches
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Shipment stuck at customs?
Send the documents. We will tell you what is wrong with the file and what it takes to release the cargo.