FAQ

Who may clear cargo through customs at Jebel Ali and Port Rashid Terminals or Dubai International Airport?

  • Consignees holding a UAE federal or Dubai Economic Department licence or any of the four Free Zone licences.
  • Agents holding a Dubai Economic Department Clearing and Forwarding (C&F) licence may also clear cargo on behalf of consignees.

What are the regulations involved in regards to the import of Jewellery/Diamonds to Dubai?

  • Documents required importing shipments:
  • Export Company's origin Invoices with their stamp and signature.
  • Packing list (quantity & packing).
  • A list of studding details of jewellery.

What documents do Customs need to see for Importing goods to Freezone?

1. Delivery Order

This will be issued by the shipping agent upon receipt of freight charges and either the original bill of lading or a bank guarantee.

2. Original Invoice

This should be produced by the original exporter and legalised by a recognised authority in the country of export. (This document is used by customs here for duty charges and statistical purposes.)

3. Certificate of Origin

Produced by the original exporter and legalised by a recognised authority in the country of export. This is used by customs to confirm the country of origin and equally needs to be seen by the office which ensures any trade boycotts are enforced.

4. Bill of Entry

Must be completed by the consignee or C&F agent. Free Zone (FZ) bills of entry are used for cargo declared for the zone. Cargo bound for Dubai is entered on a standard bill of entry.

5. Customs Duty Receipt

This is issued by customs if duty is payable. Certain importers are able to operate a credit facility with customs.

6. Duty Exemption Certificate

This is held either by companies importing cargo which do not attract duty, or by the agents acting on their behalf.

What are the Goods/Items I have to declare at the Airport Customs?

What are the Duty Free allowances allowed to carry with me?

GREEN CHANNEL:

Proceed to the green channel if you don’t carry any prohibited or restricted goods. However, the inspector may still conduct selective checks at the green channel.

RED CHANNEL:

If you carry anything to declare with customs or you are in doubt which channel to proceed then you must proceed to the red channel. Items have to be declared:

  • Narcotics of all kinds.
  • Weapons, ammunition and military equipments.
  • Radios, striking appliances, self-defense equipment and cold steel.
  • Domestic and endangered animals subject to CITES Convention (hides, ivory & stuffed animals).
  • Currencies (more the USD 10000 or AED 40000 or their equivalence of other currencies).
  • Goods of commercial value (exceeding AED 3000 in value).
  • Trees, plants & soil.
  • Films, Books, Visual & Compact discs.
  • Fire works & explosives.
  • Medicines of all kinds

DUTY FREE ALLOWANCES:

  • Personal effects & Gifts of no commercial quantities.
  • Cigarettes & Tobacco: 400 cigarettes or 2 kilo of cigar or tobacco products other than cigarette aged 18 years and over.
  • Alcohols: 4 liters alcoholic liquor (including Wine, Beer or Spirits) per passenger above 18 years of age.
  • Currencies in circulation. (Above 40000 AED or 10000 USD or their equivalence of the currencies).

How to obtain vehicle customs clearance?

For customs purpose, please bring the Bill of lading 2nd copy, delivery Order from the shipping agent and if possible the invoice. For Registration Requirements, Dubai Customs will arrange to provide Vehicle Clearance Certificate (V.C.C.) for each unit upon clearing the Customs Import Bill of Entry. Therefore, the V.C.C. should be submitted to Dubai Police - Traffic Department for registration.

I would like to Import goods to UAE temporarily for exhibition or as sample.
What is the procedure for Temporary Admission?

Temporary Admission Basis, by keeping a deposit that will be physically assessed by Customs Inspectors at the time of arrival, on the assessed value. While balance quantity is exported, deposit will be refunded back for the exported items.