How to start an import export business in Dubai?

The UAE exports hundreds of billions of US dollars worth of goods every year. Similarly, the imports to the UAE amount to billions of USD worth of products from abroad. You can establish an import export business in Dubai to facilitate this growing international trade.

With world-class ports and free zones, the UAE provides easy access to Asia, Africa, and Europe. Global trade in the UAE is over half the size of its economy, which shows the importance of this sector. So, its largest city Dubai is one of the best places to begin an import/export company.

Running an import-export business in Dubai has become extremely popular. With the ease provided by the government to entrepreneurs, setting up a business in Dubai has never been easier. Keep reading to get the nitty-gritty of starting this new venture.

Key takeaways of the UAE’s import and export sector

These are the notable insights of the import/export vertical of the UAE.

• UAE re-exports are very strong, crossing AED 600+ billion in 2022, showing big potential for import–store–re-export models. (UAE Ministry of Economy)
• The UAE’s total foreign trade reached AED 5.23 trillion in 2024, up from AED 3.5 trillion in 2021, which is a 49% increase (World Trade Outlook and Statistics” report).
• In 2024, global merchandise exports rose 2% to US$24.43 trillion. Office equipment and telecom grew the most at 10% while fuel and mining saw the biggest drop at 7%. (Source: Global trade reports)
• Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi said the UAE is now a leading global trade hub, with a AED 492.3 billion trade surplus, AED 2.22 trillion in goods exports, and AED 646.6 billion in services exports including AED 191 billion in digital services. (Source: UAE Ministry of Economy)
• JAFZA hosts around 9,000–10,700 companies, including 100+ Fortune 500 firms,and generates about US$169–190 billion in trade per year. (JAFZA / DP World)
• Transport and logistics are central to Dubai’s economy. The sector contributes about 11.5% of GDP and is one of the fastest-growing sectors. (Dubai Statistics Center / Dubai economic reports)
• Startup costs are manageable. A small import–export setup usually needs around AED 18,000–60,000 for license, office or flexi-desk and basic approvals. (Dubai free zone and business setup guides)

Process to establish the import export business in Dubai

This is the step-by-step procedure of registering an import export business in Dubai.

• Decide corporate jurisdiction
• Choose business activities
• Reserve your trade name
• Arrange your premises
• Obtain your trade license
• Get the Import–Export Code from Dubai Customs
• Open business banking account
• Acquire product-specific approvals (if necessary)
• Set up logistics and begin trading
• Register for VAT when required

Now, we briefly look upon these steps.

Decide corporate jurisdiction

Determine your legal jurisdiction from Dubai mainland or a free zone. Dubai mainland lets you trade the goods inside the UAE market and abroad. Pick a free zone if you focus on international trade, with options like JAFZA or DMCC being cheaper and faster.

Choose business activities

Finalize what you want to trade from general goods, food, electronics, clothes, or auto parts, etc. Your chosen activity goes on your business license. Also, it decides if you need extra regulatory approvals.

Reserve your trade name

Pick a company name following the UAE’s corporate naming rules. Also, single out a brand-aligning trade name. Reserve both your company and trade names with the Department of Economy & Tourism (DET) in Dubai.

Arrange your premises

Get a registered office address. Mainland companies need a physical office address. Whereas, free zone companies can use an affordable flexi-desk or shared workspace to meet legal requirements.

Obtain your trade license

Apply for general trading license, submit necessary legal documents, pay the fee, and receive approval.

Get the Import–Export Code from Dubai Customs

Create an account on the Dubai Customs website. Upload your trade license and apply for an Import-Export code. Use this code for all import and export clearances.

Open business banking account

Choose a UAE bank and file your license, passport copies and company details. Explain your business and main countries of trade. Open the corporate account after approval.

Acquire product-specific approvals (if necessary)

Products such as food, cosmetics, medicines, electronics and chemicals often need approvals as well. So, receive these additional regulatory approvals before importing items to Dubai.

Set up logistics and begin trading

Work with a freight forwarder or shipping agent. Prepare invoices, packing lists, and bills of lading. Submit the documents to customs, clear the goods, and start the importing and exporting through Dubai’s ports and airports.

Register for VAT when required

You must register for value-added tax (VAT) with the Federal Tax Authority (FTA). Once, the annual taxable income of your Dubai import/export company reaches the UAE’s VAT threshold. Then, file the VAT returns with the FTA to ensure compliance and saving yourself from the fines.

Registration of import export license in Dubai

In the case of import and export business in Dubai, you must separately secure the licenses for both activities. That is, export license for exporting goods from Dubai, and import license for importing goods to Dubai. Therefore, you must pick your business activity wisely before applying for these licenses.

• Step-by-step registration for import license in Dubai
• Step-wise registration for export license in Dubai
• Online portal to obtain an import export license in Dubai

Now, we briefly look upon these.

Step-by-step registration for import license in Dubai

If, business owners have an interest in importing various commodities inside the UAE from abroad. Then, they must get an import license to keep their business activity lawful. These are the steps for applying for a Dubai import license.

• Prepare these legal documents for legally run Dubai import operations.
  • Import permit with special grants that allow the importer to import goods that fall under the prohibited category.
  • An invoice that is describing the total quantity of products and value of the goods imported by the company.
  • The Chamber of Commerce approves the certificate of Origin stating the source of the goods.
  • A document detailing the weight, packaging and HS code of all the goods intended for import.
• The importer must provide the Bill of Landing.
• The shipping agent will give the delivery order three to four days before the arrival of the vessel. The cargo clearance must be completed beforehand.
• The Import Declaration form must be provided online with the payments cleared by the importer. After the confirmation of payment, the company will be given a Customs import Declaration Certificate.
• The Dubai Customs can check the required documents at any instance.
• After getting a green signal from the Customs Department, the company can hire a transport company for the delivery of goods.
• However, in case of getting flagged, the vessel may need to undergo an extra inspection by a designated authority and only after receiving clearance from them can it be handed over to the importer.

Step-wise registration for export license in Dubai

If, business owners have an interest in exporting regionally manufactured goods to a foreign country. Then, they must acquire an export license in Dubai. These are the steps for applying for a Dubai export license.

• Submit these legal documents at the Customs Office.
  • The company must have an accredited Export Declaration Certificate from the licensing authority or the Instructions of the Declaration of Goods application (IDG).
  • The company should have special permission from the regulatory authorities in case of exporting items that fall under the prohibited category.
  • A sales invoice containing the description of goods, quantity and value of each piece is required from the company.
• Payment for Declaration registration must be made at the Customs Office.
• The office provides customs Declaration Certificate.

You should choose Free Zones to increase your company’s profit and longevity. For Free Zone Company Formation consult our experts at KWS ME.

Online portal to obtain an import export license in Dubai

In an effort to ease the steps involving setting up a business in Dubai, the UAE government has initiated an online declaration, clearance and registration system. This E-service is under the authority of Dubai Customs and is called the Misral 2. This initiative has increased the number of foreign investors seeking to invest in the UAE to profit from opportunities in export and import business in Dubai.

By using this online portal, business-owners and entrepreneurs can register their business online. While, the required documentation must be handed over to the Dubai Customs officer by hand. The Dubai Customs office does a thorough background check of the business owner.

It ensures that the products intended for import-export do not fall under the prohibited or forbidden category. To guarantee that the business activity is following the proper channel, all business owners who wish to start an import-export business should have a valid license.

Top areas for import and export operations in Dubai

These are the best locations for the import and export operations in Dubai.

• DMCC (Dubai Multi Commodities Centre): Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) is suitable for trading commodities, electronics, gold, and food with fast company setup in JLT.
• JAFZA (Jebel Ali Free Zone): One of the world’s largest free zones, JAFZA has direct access to Jebel Ali Port, and is ideal for large-scale import, export and warehousing.
• DAFZA (Dubai Airport Free Zone): Best for air freight imports and exports, DAFZA is appropriate with high-value goods like electronics and luxury items.
• MFZ (Meydan Free Zone): As a cost-effective free zone option, MFZ is perfect for small import–export startups with flexible office and warehouse solutions.
• DSFZ (Dubai South Free Zone): Located near Al Maktoum International Airport, DSFZ is ideal for warehouses with accessible international logistics for large-scale cargo deliveries.
• HFZ (Hamriyah Free Zone): With close access from both Dubai and Sharjah, HFZ offers affordable warehousing and import–export facilities.
• DCC (Dubai CommerCity): Focused on e-commerce imports and distribution, DCC is ideal for online businesses, trading fashion, electronics, and beauty products.
• DSO (Dubai Silicon Oasis): Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO) works well for trading tech products, electronics and light industrial goods within the UAE and internationally.

Significance of Dubai import export ecosystem in the UAE

There are several things, for which the UAE is famous across the world. Some of these are endless oil reserves and riches, global-level infrastructure, towering sky-scrapers, bright lights and the vast deserts. The bustling business districts of Dubai with world-known 7-star hotels are the destinations for the international entrepreneurs.

However, the one thing that makes its competitors truly envious is its geostrategic location. Dubai import entails bringing goods and products from overseas into the UAE while adhering to legal terms of licensing. Whereas, Dubai export involves selling the locally produced goods, products or services abroad while sticking to the legal guidelines.

Dubai is blessed with an accessible location to do business with the established and the emerging markets of the globe. The two-thirds of the world is only an eight-hour flight away from Dubai and much of the UAE. Thus, it makes Dubai the ideal focal point for business-owners, multinational companies and entrepreneurs for setting up the headquarters.

The extensive air, land and sea links of Dubai extends their trade and reach to all corners of the globe. Naturally, this prime-positioning and infrastructure make Dubai, and the rest of the UAE, a hot spot for import-export businesses. In the last few years alone, the import export business in Dubai has almost tripled.

Popular products permissible in import export sector in Dubai

The list of products allowed for import-export business in Dubai are as follows.

• Crude oil and its products, along with its refined counterparts, are widely exported commodity in the UAE
• Gold, Diamond and other types of precious jewel-encrusted encrusted jewellery
• Cars, automobiles and various kinds of transport equipment
• Cameras, drones, microphone and other kinds of broadcasting and media equipment

Conclusion

The import-export license application process can be a daunting and challenging task. And if you are looking to setup a trading company then having an import-export license is a must. The best course of action for most business owners is that they should hire a business setup consultant.

We at KWS Middle East with over a decade of experience can help you in setting up a business in Dubai. Moreover, we provide all the services needed to establish a successful business setup in Dubai. Partner with us and book your commitment-free consultation today.

For connecting with KWS Middle East, call us at +97180059763, email us at info@kwsme.com, or WhatsApp us at +971509664705 now.

FAQs about Dubai import export vertical in the UAE

These are the answers to the common questions regarding Dubai import export space in the UAE.

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