As your shipment arrives in the United Arab Emirates from any point of entry from overseas, the shipment has to go through customs compliance.
This blog will discuss the customs clearance process in UAE, paperwork required, Controlling authorities, import procedure, and how to pay customs duties in the UAE.
The local customs department is divided into the following seven states:
- Abu Dhabi Customs
- Dubai Customs
- Sharjah Customs
- Ajman Customs
- Umm Al Khaimah Customs
- Fujairah Customs
Every state has its customs clearance mechanism. A trustworthy and professional freight forwarder can assist you with transportation services, negotiating prices with multiple carriers, and determining the most cost-effective, stable, and quickest route.
The following original documents will be required for import goods in the UAE:
- Commercial Invoice
- Certificate of origin
- Packing List
- Import Permit (If Any controlling authority)
- Bill of Lading
- Letter of Duty Exemption (From Ministry of Finance)
- Original Health Certificate (for a food product)
- Original Halal Slaughter Certificate (for a food product)
The importer needs to get the authorized permit for the restricted/prohibited/duty exempted goods. Then, he files an Import Declaration application for UAE customs clearance.
Permission is required specifically from the Controlling authorities for the import of:
- Live Animal (Birds/Fish)
- Pet Animal
- Pharmaceutical Products
- Weapon/Arms
- Beverages/Alcohol/ Cigarettes
- Media Products
- Transmitters and radio equipment
- Meat/beef/poultry products
The import customs clearance procedure is influenced by a variety of factors, including:
- Policies and guidelines of the importing country
- Nature of goods and types
- Trade agreement between both countries
What are the Documents for Customs Clearance in UAE?
Your shipping paperwork influences the fate of your products, and if they aren’t filled out correctly, your cargo might be delayed or held at customs.
The required documents are given below:
- 3x Original BL + Copy
- 3x Original Invoice on Shipper’s Letterhead with stamp & signature
- 3x Original Packing list on shipper’s letterhead with stamp & signature
- 2x Original Certificate of Origin
- 2x Original Phytosanitary – Food Related
- 2x Original Health Certificate – Food Related
- 2x Original Certificate of Analysis – Food Related
BILL OF LADING
- Shippers Name
- Consignee/Notify Party
- Port of Discharge
- Port of Loading
- Container No & Type
- Container No & Type
- Description of Goods
- Total Quantity & Total No. of pallets
- Total net weight & Total gross weight
COMMERCIAL INVOICE
- Shipper’s Name
- Consignee
- HS Code
- Description of goods with the invoice value
- Invoice No & Date
- Country of Origin
- Total Quantity & Total No. of Pallets
- Total of Gross weight & Total net weight
- Shipper’s letterhead with stamp & signature
PACKING LIST
- Shipper’s Name
- Consignee
- HS Code
- Country of Origin
- Description of goods
- Total of Gross weight & Total net weight
- Shipper’s letterhead with stamp & signature
CERTIFICATE OF ORIGIN
- Shippers Name
- Consignee
- Country of Origin
- Description of goods
- Total Quantity & Total No. of Pallets
- Total of Gross weight & Total Net weight
PHYTOSANITARY
- Shippers Name
- Consignee
- Country of Origin
- Description of goods
- Total Quantity & Total No. of Pallets
- Total of Gross weight & Total Net weight
How to Calculate and Pay the Customs Duties in UAE?
Customs duties and taxes are computed using the product’s CIF value. The UAE has adopted a GCC common Tariff, including customs taxes set at 5% of the CIF value of most commodities. Where alcohol, sweetened Beverages, and carbonated goods are subject to a 50% duty while e-smoking devices are subject to a 100% charge.
Pharmaceuticals and agricultural products are free from customs charges. Import of alcohol, tobacco, guns, and pig products are all subjects to severe restrictions.
The tax on a shipment will be 5% if the total worth of your products exceeds 1000 AED. For example, if the estimated cost of your product is 1000 AED the receiver will need to pay an extra sum of 50 AED in taxes to the destination country’s government.
The GCC Common Customs Law specifies which terms are free from UAE customs charges. The UAE FCA Unified Custom Tariff provides information on terms that are exempt from tariffs upon entering into the UAE.
