The benefits of Dubai’s advantageous geographic location are well known. It is particularly significant to Dubai’s import and export industry. Most countries across the world can travel to the Emirates in only five hours because to its excellent marine and air transportation connections. Dubai creates a natural bridge for the import and export of common goods and commodities from Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East because to its well-organized location.

India, Japan, Singapore, Thailand, and South Korea are significant import trading partners for Dubai. While the US, UK, Germany, France, and Italy are significant export partners. Since Dubai is a logistics hub, many business owners want to establish operations there. If this describes you, continue reading the article so that you can simplify and hasten the registration process for your import-export company in Dubai.

What steps must be taken in order to launch an import/export business in Dubai?

Expats in Dubai have the option of establishing an import-export firm in a free zone or the territory of the mainland. To begin your business activity, you must adhere to the steps provided:

1. Make a trade name reservation.
2. Provide the necessary documentation to obtain initial clearance to begin conducting business within the UAE.
3. A Memorandum of Association should be written, signed, and submitted with accompanying paperwork.
4. Wait until you receive a confirmation notice from the DED before finishing the remaining paperwork.
5. The DED will give you a notification and a payment voucher once all of your documents have been reviewed and authorised.
6. Within 24 hours of receiving your trade licence, make sure to collect the needed payment.
7. Once the firm has been formed, you must submit an application for an import-export permission to Dubai Customs. You can send or re-export items outside of the UAE with the use of export-import permits.
8. Be sure to register with customs before beginning any form of trading.
9. To receive clearance from UAE customs, all imported products must pass through the customs checkpoints at all UAE stations, airports, and seaports.

Keep in mind that there are no customs fees associated with any imports or exports into or out of the Free Zone. However, the import/export businesses in the free zones are required to abide by a number of stringent rules set forth by the free zone authorities. You can collect more information by visiting the Freezone company formation. 

What paperwork is necessary to launch an import/export business in Dubai?

The following paperwork must be provided to Dubai Customs in order to import or export goods to or from Dubai:

1. A declaration form for products exporting and importing.
2. If you have to import or export a certain type of prohibited commodity, you must obtain a special authorization.
3. Keep a copy of the delivery order together with the specifics of each shipment.
4. Present the invoice and the product information.
5. Display a thorough packing list.
6. Certificate of origin for the Shipment.
7. Provide a copy of the importer’s and exporter’s trade licence.
8. Dubai Customs Services has issued a declaration on behalf of the Dubai Financial Services Authority.

What is the Import Export Code in Dubai?

Before deciding to launch an import-export business in Dubai, bear the following in mind:

1. To begin conducting business in the nation, you must register your firm with the Customs Department of Dubai and apply for a trade licence from one of the free zones or the mainland areas of Dubai.
2. You must process the customs registration clearance in addition to the trading licence.
3. The customs department can provide you with an import-export code.
4. You are only permitted to trade in goods that are listed in the company’s trade licence.
5. The items must arrive at their destination within 72 hours following the customs declaration, which is crucial.
6. The Customs Department must inspect each item being imported or exported.
7. Send a customs clearance letter to the relevant free-zone authorities so that the products can be stored there so that they can be sold on the UAE market.
8. If you want to conduct business in the local UAE market as a free zone company, hire a local distributor.

How much does a Dubai import-export business licence cost?

In Dubai, it is not particularly expensive to launch an import-export business. Although there aren’t many charges involved, you still need to take a few into account before applying for your import-export licence. The price of your trade licence is the first. A trade licence with one visa and the price of an additional co-working space, for instance, would come to around AED 25,500. You can also go through the import and export business in Dubai for additional reference.

You must think about tax if you intend to import products to sell in Dubai’s local market. Only select specific commodities will be subject to a 5% tariff if they are passed for sale from a free zone to a local market in Dubai.