WhatsApp quoteTo be clear, 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. In practice, kenyans are a growing East African community working in aviation, hospitality, logistics and trade, so the Import / Export Code authority, the banks and the immigration officers see Kenyan applications every day and process them without hesitation. The most common businesses Kenyans open through GoldenKey are in agricultural exports, tea and coffee trading, logistics and tourism, although Import / Export Code supports almost any activity.
Why Import / Export Code
For most clients, the steps for Import / Export Code are: apply on the Dubai Trade or relevant customs portal, upload licence and authorised signatory papers, pay the registration fee and then link the code to your freight forwarder. 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. On the ground, for Kenyans, the practical advantages of Import / Export Code are the ease of travel between Kenya and the UAE, English and Swahili speakers find the UAE easy to navigate, and a banking system that processes Kenyan shilling (KES) transfers daily.
Documents required
For import / export code for Kenyan-owned companies the authority asks for the following documents, and we tell you exactly how each must be formatted.
- Memorandum of association showing shareholders
- Customs code and import records where applicable
- Passport and Emirates ID of the authorised signatory
- Bank account letter or IBAN certificate
- Trade licence and certificate of incorporation
- Turnover evidence such as invoices, contracts or financial statements
Pricing
The figures below for import / export code for Kenyan-owned companies are updated by GoldenKey whenever the registrar changes its fees, so the price you see is the current one. Pricing for import / export code for Kenyan-owned companies depends on the package you choose; every option below includes GoldenKey's service and the government fees stated.
| 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
Banking, logistics, telecoms and digital government services in the UAE are among the most advanced in the region, which keeps the running costs of import / export code for Kenyan-owned companies predictable. There are no restrictions on repatriating profits or capital, so earnings from import / export code for Kenyan-owned companies can be moved to your home country or reinvested freely.
Why GoldenKey
GoldenKey's consultants have handled import / export code for Kenyan-owned companies for traders, consultants, tech founders and family offices, which gives us a realistic view of what each authority approves without delay. In practice, our quotations for import / export code for Kenyan-owned companies list every government fee and our service fee on one page, in writing, before you pay anything. 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 Kenyan-owned companies.
To be clear, call or WhatsApp GoldenKey today and a consultant will walk you through import / export code for Kenyan-owned companies step by step, with no obligation and no pressure.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Import / Export Code take with the FTA?
Importantly, the FTA typically responds within 20 business days, and simple applications are often approved faster. GoldenKey submits a complete file to avoid information requests.
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.
Does Import / Export Code apply to a new company with no revenue yet?
Day to day, the customs code is needed before the first shipment, so new traders apply as soon as the licence is issued.
Can a Kenyan citizen own 100% of a company in Import / Export Code?
Yes, it can. Kenyans can own the full share capital of a Import / Export Code company with no local partner, exactly like any other nationality.
How long does the process take for Kenyan applicants?
In our experience, processing for Kenyans follows the same timeline as other nationalities. Documents from Kenya that need attestation are the main variable, and GoldenKey guides you through that step.
