← All guidesDXB
United Arab Emirates
Dubai — Middle East gateway
The re-export capital of the region: world-class ports, free zones, and the sea–air corridor that splits the difference between ocean and air.
Key gateways
- ▸Jebel Ali, Dubai (region's largest container port)
- ▸Dubai Intl & Al Maktoum (global air cargo hubs)
- ▸Khalifa Port, Abu Dhabi
- ▸Free zones: JAFZA, DAFZA, DMCC and more
Importing basics
- ▸Standard GCC customs duty is 5% for most goods; VAT applies at 5%.
- ▸Free-zone imports defer duty until goods enter the mainland — powerful for regional distribution hubs.
- ▸Some Middle East destinations require legalized or attested documents — plan the extra days.
Exporting basics
- ▸Re-exports through free zones move with minimal friction — the UAE's core trade model.
- ▸Certificates of origin and, where required, embassy legalization are routine paperwork our Dubai office manages daily.
- ▸Sea–air via Dubai: ocean from Asia, air onward to the Americas or Europe — mid-way cost and transit.
Core documents
- ▸Commercial invoice & packing list
- ▸Certificate of origin (chamber-attested where required)
- ▸B/L or AWB
- ▸Free-zone transfer documents where applicable
- ▸Legalized documents for specific destinations
Tips from our United Arab Emirates desk
- →Use free-zone warehousing to serve GCC, Africa and South Asia from one duty-deferred stock.
- →Ramadan and summer peaks shift working hours and capacity — plan cut-offs accordingly.
- →For urgent-but-not-desperate Asia–North America cargo, price the Dubai sea–air lane before defaulting to pure air.
General guidance, not advice for a specific transaction — regulations and tariff measures change. Confirm current requirements for your goods with our team or official sources.
Ready when you are