Import / Export Code in the UAE

Key points

Day to day, the code is renewed annually with the licence and is required before your first shipment can be cleared. Penalties for late Import / Export Code or late filing start at fixed amounts and grow with delay, which is why GoldenKey diarises every deadline for its clients. GoldenKey prepares the EmaraTax application for Import / Export Code, uploads the papers and follows up with the FTA until the certificate is issued. On the ground, the steps for Import / Export Code are: apply on the Dubai Trade or relevant customs portal, upload licence and authorised signatory supporting documents, pay the registration fee and then link the code to your freight forwarder.

Step by step

1. 
   Step 1

   Assessment

   Put simply, we confirm whether Import / Export Code is mandatory, voluntary or not yet required for your turnover and activity, and fix the right timing.

2. 
   Step 2

   EmaraTax setup

   GoldenKey creates or accesses your EmaraTax account and links the licence, authorised signatory and bank details. Your portal shows the status of this step for Import / Export Code in the UAE in real time.

3. 
   Step 3

   Application

   Just as important, we complete the Import / Export Code request with turnover, activity and import details and upload the supporting supporting documents.

4. 
   Step 4

   Certificate and compliance calendar

   The FTA issues your registration certificate and we add the filing and payment dates to your compliance calendar. For Import / Export Code in the UAE, GoldenKey completes this stage with you on WhatsApp or by email.

Documents required

For Import / Export Code in the UAE the authority asks for the following documents, and we tell you exactly how each must be formatted.

• Customs code and import records where applicable
• Memorandum of association showing shareholders
• Turnover evidence such as invoices, contracts or financial statements
• Trade licence and certificate of incorporation
• Passport and Emirates ID of the authorised signatory
• Bank account letter or IBAN certificate

Pricing

The figures below for Import / Export Code in the UAE are updated by GoldenKey whenever the licensing authority changes its fees, so the price you see is the current one. Put simply, pricing for Import / Export Code in the UAE depends on the package you choose; every option below includes GoldenKey's service and the government fees stated.

The steps in detail

1. Apply on the Dubai Trade or relevant customs portal
2. Upload licence and authorised signatory documents
3. Pay the registration fee
4. Link the code to your freight forwarder

Import / Export Code by emirate

DubaiThe UAE's commercial capital — trade anywhere in the UAE w…Abu DhabiThe capital — government contracts, energy supply chains a…SharjahIndustrial heartland of the UAE — manufacturing, trading a…AjmanGoldenKey's home emirate — one of the most affordable main…Ras Al KhaimahThe emirate of industry and tourism — low costs, strong ma…Umm Al QuwainThe quiet emirate — one of the lowest-cost mainland licenc…FujairahThe UAE's east-coast gateway — shipping, bunkering and Ind…

Import / Export Code by business type

General Tradingimport, export, re-export and wholesale of a broad range o…E-commerceselling physical or digital products online through your o…IT & Softwaresoftware development, SaaS, app development, IT consulting…Business Consultingmanagement, strategy, HR, marketing or operations consulti…Marketing & Advertising Agencydigital marketing, social media management, advertising, b…Real Estate Brokeragebrokering the sale and leasing of property on behalf of ow…Restaurant & Caféoperating a dine-in restaurant, café, cloud kitchen or foo…Retail Shopselling goods to consumers from a physical shop, kiosk or …Logistics & Freight Forwardingfreight forwarding, cargo handling, courier services and s…Import & Exportimporting goods into the UAE and exporting or re-exporting…Manufacturing & Industrialproducing, assembling, processing or packaging goods in a …Construction & Contractingbuilding, civil works, MEP and specialist contracting for …

Why the UAE

To be clear, english is the working language of business, contracts are routinely drafted in English, and government portals are bilingual, which simplifies Import / Export Code in the UAE for international founders. Since 2021, most mainland activities have allowed 100% foreign ownership, and free zones have always offered it, so Import / Export Code in the UAE no longer requires a local partner.

Why GoldenKey

If a document is missing or an approval is delayed on your Import / Export Code file, we tell you immediately and explain the fix, rather than letting the application sit. We speak the languages our clients speak, including English, Arabic, Hindi, Urdu and Malayalam, and we can arrange Russian, French and Mandarin support for Import / Export Code in the UAE. GoldenKey builds its own CRM and client portal, so you can see the status of your Import / Export Code application, download your documents and pay invoices from your phone.

Frequently asked questions