Starting an Import Export Business in Dubai - Everything You Need to Know

In Dubai, one of the most important business sectors is trading. Import and export to and from international markets contribute significantly to the UAE's economic growth and serve as a constant growth driver for the business landscape in the UAE.

The most sought-after company license category in Dubai is the import-export business license, which allows investors to facilitate global trade by residing in the UAE. Food, precious metals, machinery, and equipment trading account for the majority of UAE imports.

How do get a Dubai Import Export Business License?

To obtain an Import Export Business License in Dubai, foreign entrepreneurs must submit an application to the Department of Economic Development or the relevant Free Zone in Dubai.

The investor can open a trading company and facilitate global and local trade after obtaining a Business License from the Dubai Economy or the Free Trade Zone. To conduct trade operations, the business owner must apply for an import-export code with Dubai Customs.

Obtaining an Import Export Code from Dubai Customs

• The import-export code allows the trading company to import goods from other countries, re-export or export locally made goods to other countries, and so on. Before beginning any trading activity in the UAE, all import and export businesses must obtain customs registration.
• Investors in Dubai can conduct global trade with the help of an Import Export Company License. All imported goods to the UAE, however, must pass through customs checks at UAE airports/seaports and receive clearance from UAE Customs.
• There is no Customs Duty payable on all imports and exports to and from the Free Zone because it is outside of the UAE's Customs scope. Import/Export companies operating in the Freezones must adhere to a set of strict guidelines set forth by the Freezone authorities and UAE Customs. After receiving the trade license and company formation documents, the first step for an Import Export Business in Dubai is to register with Dubai Customs to receive an import/export code. Following registration, the UAE Customs Department will issue an import/export code to the import-export company.

What is the procedure for obtaining an Import Export Code in Dubai?

👉To begin the import/export business, the company must apply for an import-export business license from any of the UAE's Free Zones or the Dubai Mainland (DED) and register with the Dubai Customs Department.

👉Customs registration clearance must be completed in conjunction with the approval of the trade license, and the Import Export Code must be issued by the Customs Department.

👉To begin any type of import/export activity in and out of the UAE, all companies with a valid trade license must obtain import/export codes.

Importing Goods to Dubai: Documents Required

The following documents must be submitted to Dubai Customs by an Import Export Company in order to import goods into Dubai.

✅ Form for declaring goods for import

✅ Importing certain restricted goods requires a special permit.

✅ The merchandise details are accompanied by a delivery order with the details of the shipment invoice.

✅ Detailed  packing list

✅ Dubai Customs Services issued a Certificate of Origin for the Shipment Trade License of the Importer DFSA (Dubai Financial Services Authority) declaration.