WhatsApp quoteAs a rule, getting Import / Export Code right at the start avoids penalties that are easy to trigger and tedious to appeal. The Federal Tax Authority's EmaraTax portal makes Import / Export Code a digital process, but the questions it asks are precise and the supporting papers must match your licence exactly. India is consistently among the UAE's top trading partners, and the CEPA agreement signed in 2022 removed duties on most goods flowing both ways, which gives Indian entrepreneurs a ready market and supply chain the moment their Import / Export Code licence is issued. Put simply, the most common businesses Indians open through GoldenKey are in trading, IT and software, retail and construction, although Import / Export Code supports almost any activity.
Why Import / Export Code
In short, 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 customers. GoldenKey prepares the EmaraTax application for Import / Export Code, uploads the documents and follows up with the FTA until the certificate is granted. Many Indian founders run Import / Export Code companies alongside an existing business in India, using the UAE entity for international invoicing and regional sales.
Documents required
To be clear, gather these documents and GoldenKey will take care of the rest of import / export code for Indian-owned companies.
- Bank account letter or IBAN certificate
- Customs code and import records where applicable
- Passport and Emirates ID of the authorised signatory
- Turnover evidence such as invoices, contracts or financial statements
- Trade licence and certificate of incorporation
- Memorandum of association showing shareholders
Pricing
Put simply, the figures below for import / export code for Indian-owned companies are updated by GoldenKey whenever the authority changes its fees, so the price you see is the current one. Crucially, use the table below to compare packages for import / export code for Indian-owned companies; we will confirm the exact total for your case in a written quotation.
| GoldenKey service fee | AED 2,000 |
|---|
Dubai Customs or respective emirate customs code for trade activity
Request this servicePrices are indicative, in AED, exclusive of 5% VAT where applicable, and confirmed in writing before payment. Last updated 2026-10-05.
Why the UAE
On the ground, there are no restrictions on repatriating profits or capital, so earnings from import / export code for Indian-owned companies can be moved to your home country or reinvested freely. 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 import / export code for Indian-owned companies.
Why GoldenKey
Our office is a short drive from the Ajman Free Zone, Ajman DED and the immigration centre, so physical submissions for import / export code for Indian-owned companies happen the same day they are ready. Put simply, because GoldenKey works with the licensing authority, the immigration department and the banks every single week, we know exactly which paperwork each of them will ask for on an Import / Export Code file. 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 for Indian-owned companies.
If you would like a written quotation for import / export code for Indian-owned companies, use the form below or message us on WhatsApp and we will respond as soon as possible.
Frequently asked questions
Can GoldenKey act as my tax agent?
Yes. GoldenKey can prepare and submit filings on your behalf and handle FTA correspondence, so you have one point of contact for licence, visa and tax matters.
Is Import / Export Code mandatory for a free zone company?
Yes. Free zone traders need a customs code to move goods in and out of the zone, and a separate mainland importer code if they sell into the UAE market.
How long does Import / Export Code take with the FTA?
The FTA typically responds within 20 business days, and simple applications are often approved faster. GoldenKey submits a complete file to avoid information requests.
Do Indians need a UAE visa before applying for Import / Export Code?
No, it does not. You can apply for the licence from India with scanned paperwork, and the investor residence visa is processed afterwards.
Can a Indian citizen own 100% of a company in Import / Export Code?
Absolutely. Indians can own the full share capital of a Import / Export Code company with no local partner, exactly like any other nationality.
