Want to Obtain an Import Export License in Dubai? Here’s How You Can Get One

Going back to the earliest records, the United Arab Emirates has successfully positioned itself as a hub for international trade between Asia and Europe. Its strategic location continues to serve its imports, exports, and re-exports industry on an increasingly large scale. 

The location is complemented by a robust and growing airline network of local and international carriers flying and from its logistic centers. All in all, it can be said that UAE's geographical position, together with its world-class infrastructure and visionary leadership, has made it the logistics and re-export hub of the entire Middle East.

 

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How to Obtain the Export Import License in Dubai?

To set up your import or export business in Dubai, you must first obtain an import/export license in Dubai, UAE. To obtain the license, you need to get registered with the Customs Office in Dubai. 

The office provides a wide range of e-services to manage the import and export of goods efficiently. The declaration and clearing system of the Customs Office in Dubai is called Mirsal 2. Getting your company registered with the Customs Office is simple and straightforward.

All the goods that have been exported or imported shall pass through the Customs Office. The authority against importing and exporting prohibits a few items.

Now that you have understood the licensing part let us go through Import and Export registration procedure one by one.

All About the Export License in Dubai

In economic terms, an export is any good or commodity transported from one country to another legally, typically for use in trade. To start a Business Setup in Dubai, one must have a license approved by the Ministry. 

An export license in Dubai is required when you want to trade in goods or services produced locally in some other country or among the free trade zones of the UAE. 

Note that if the goods are exported to any of the Free Trade Zones of the UAE, they are not subject to paying any customs duty. Although the Free Trade Zone is integral to the UAE, it doesn't come under the UAE Customs Territory.

Procedure to Obtain an Export License in Dubai, UAE

To export goods from Dubai, a businessman needs to follow these steps:

1. Submit the documents required at the Customs Office
2. The declaration registration fee for export must be paid at the customs office
3. The office issues Customs Declaration Certificates.

Documents Required to Get a License & Export Goods in Dubai

• The licensing agency must give the company an approved Export Declaration Certificate or the Instructions of the Declaration of Goods Application (IDG). It is mandatory during the customs point of entry at the airport
• If the commodity exported falls in the restricted list, the exporter should have a permit from the competent agencies.
• A Sales invoice is required from the company, which should describe each item's goods, quantity, and value. An invoice should be addressed to the company outside the UAE.

Note the Necessities for the Temporary Export License in Dubai

Temporary export is done for the purposes like maintenance, repair, display in exhibitions, or use in projects and return in the same condition in which they have been exported.

Procedure to Get a Temporary Export License in Dubai

The steps mentioned below need to be followed:

• Submit the required documents
• Pay the temporary export declaration registration fees.
• Receive the temporary export declaration.
• The inspection section at the respective customs office shall approve the invoices or list of the goods (copy of the customs declaration).

Essential Documents Required for a Temporary Export License

• Goods clearing declaration from the authorities
• Commercial Invoice (original)
• Packing list with the HS codes
• An original export permit from the competent agencies in the event of exporting restricted goods
• A formal letter from the company requesting a temporary export.

All About the Import License in Dubai

With the help of an import license, it is possible to get commodities into the UAE from other countries or from one of the free trade zones of the Emirates or into a free trade zone from a UAE mainland by fulfilling the country's legal necessities in terms of licensing and documents as well as permissions. This license will permit you to be an importer, including` a legal trade license issued from a UAE license authority.

Let us now understand the procedure to import goods in Dubai.

Procedure to Import Goods in Dubai after Getting the Clearance

1. The first step is to submit the Bill of Lading and pay dues to the shipping agent once the vessels arrive. After which the shipping agent will issue a delivery order
2. The cargo clearance formalities should be completed before the expiry date of the Delivery Order. The shipping agent will issue the delivery order 3-4 days prior to the arrival of the vessel
3.  Import Declaration application must be submitted online by logging in to Dubai Trade. The importer shall make payment of customs duties and other fees online. After which you will get the Customs Import Declaration certificate
4. Dubai Customs will authenticate the documents and may inspect goods before giving the possession of cargo to the importer
5. After the container is discharged, the importer can appoint a transport company to receive delivery of commodities
6. As per the Customs Import Declaration, if any inspection is required, then the container will be taken to the inspection area of the competent authority, and only after getting the inspection clearance will the container exit

Documents Required to Get a License & Import Goods in Dubai

• The Invoice mentions the description of the total quantity of goods and the value of each item addressed to the importer
• Certificate of Origin stating the origin of goods approved by the country of origins Chamber of Commerce
• A detailed document mentioning the weight of each product in a container, packaging, and HS code for all the items
• Import Permit from the competent agencies if the importer importing restricted goods or duty-exempted goods

Even though all the free zones are inside the territory of Dubai, they are considered outside the scope of the UAE customs territory. They must follow certain conditions and requirements to conduct import-export business in the UAE free zone.

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Import Export License Cost in Dubai

The Dubai import-export license fee starts from AED 16,575*. It involves considering a few other factors, and the first is the cost of your trade license. 

You must also consider tax if you import goods to sell to the local market. Any goods that pass for sale from a free zone to the local market incur a duty of 5% (though this can be more on certain products).

*Prices can change without prior notice. Kindly connect with us for confirmation.

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Get Your Import Export License in Dubai, UAE, from Commitbiz

Dubai's export /import business is lately seeing a gradual rise. The top imports and exports include jewelry, cars, and metals like gold, silver, aluminum, etc. 

There is a niche for everyone wanting to start an import/export business in Dubai. However, you must remember that the type of goods you wish to trade will affect the cost of your custom. 

To ensure you are armed with the right kind of information, we at Commitbiz can help you understand A to Z of export/import business in the UAE. Contact us today for further information.

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