WhatsApp quoteCrucially, the Federal Tax Authority's EmaraTax portal makes Excise Tax Registration a digital process, but the questions it asks are precise and the supporting documents must match your licence exactly. GoldenKey handles Excise Tax Registration for the companies we form and for businesses that come to us later, so the process is routine for our tax team. For most clients, french brands and groups have a major footprint in the UAE, from Louvre Abu Dhabi to the Sorbonne campus, which gives French entrepreneurs a ready market and supply chain the moment their Excise Tax Registration licence is issued. From day one, french nationals are a community of around 30,000 residents with strong presence in luxury, hospitality, aviation and energy, so the Excise Tax Registration authority, the banks and the immigration officers see French applications every day and process them without hesitation.
Why Excise Tax Registration
The steps for Excise Tax Registration are: register on EmaraTax as an excise taxable person, register each product on the FTA product list, apply for a designated zone if warehousing and then file monthly excise returns. Excise rates are 100% on tobacco and energy drinks and 50% on carbonated and sweetened drinks. GoldenKey has prepared Excise Tax Registration files for French customers in luxury retail, hospitality, aviation and energy, which means we know which France documents need attestation and which can be submitted as plain copies.
Documents required
For most clients, gather these documents and GoldenKey will take care of the rest of excise tax registration for French-owned companies.
- Passport and Emirates ID of the authorised signatory
- Trade licence and certificate of incorporation
- Memorandum of association showing shareholders
- Bank account letter or IBAN certificate
- Customs code and import records where applicable
- Turnover evidence such as invoices, contracts or financial statements
Pricing
All prices for excise tax registration for French-owned companies are indicative, shown in AED and confirmed in writing before any payment. To be clear, pricing for excise tax registration for French-owned companies depends on the package you choose; every option below includes GoldenKey's service and the government fees stated.
| GoldenKey service fee | AED 3,500 |
|---|
FTA excise registration for producers, importers or warehouse keepers of excisable goods
Request this servicePrices are indicative, in AED, exclusive of 5% VAT where applicable, and confirmed in writing before payment. Last updated 2026-10-06.
Why the UAE
Residence visas for owners and families come with the company, which makes excise tax registration for French-owned companies a route to relocation as well as a business decision. The UAE sits within an eight-hour flight of two-thirds of the world's population, which is why so many founders choose it as a base for excise tax registration for French-owned companies.
Why GoldenKey
In short, if a document is missing or an approval is delayed on your Excise Tax Registration file, we tell you immediately and explain the fix, rather than letting the application sit. Importantly, most of our Excise Tax Registration clients come to us through referrals from other entrepreneurs, which is why we take pride in keeping every promise we put in writing. Our quotations for excise tax registration for French-owned companies list every government fee and our service fee on one page, in writing, before you pay anything.
In our experience, if you would like a written quotation for excise tax registration for French-owned companies, use the form below or message us on WhatsApp and we will respond as soon as possible.
Frequently asked questions
Is Excise Tax Registration mandatory for a free zone company?
Excise registration depends on the goods, not the jurisdiction. A free zone company importing or stockpiling excise goods must register, and designated-zone warehousing requires its own approval.
What happens if I miss the Excise Tax Registration deadline?
Late registration attracts a fixed penalty, and late filings add further penalties. If you are already late, GoldenKey can register you and advise on penalty reconsideration where grounds exist.
How long does Excise Tax Registration take with the FTA?
The FTA usually responds within 20 business days, and simple applications are often approved faster. GoldenKey submits a complete file to avoid information requests.
Can a French citizen own 100% of a company in Excise Tax Registration?
It can. French nationals can own the full share capital of a Excise Tax Registration company with no local partner, exactly like any other nationality.
How long does the process take for French applicants?
Just as important, processing for French nationals follows the same timeline as other nationalities. Documents from France that need attestation are the main variable, and GoldenKey guides you through that step.
