WhatsApp quotePut simply, getting Import / Export Code right at the start avoids penalties that are easy to trigger and tedious to appeal. GoldenKey handles Import / Export Code for the companies we form and for businesses that come to us later, so the process is routine for our tax team. In short, the most common businesses Filipinos open through GoldenKey are in retail, food and beverage, healthcare and hospitality, although Import / Export Code supports almost any activity. Filipinos are one of the largest communities in the UAE, estimated at around 700,000 to 1,000,000 people, so the Import / Export Code authority, the banks and the immigration officers see Filipino applications every day and process them without hesitation.
Why Import / Export Code
In practice, the steps for Import / Export Code are: apply on the Dubai Trade or relevant customs portal, upload licence and authorised signatory documents, pay the registration fee and then link the code to your freight forwarder. In practice, 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. Many Filipino business owners run Import / Export Code companies alongside an existing business in Philippines, using the UAE entity for international invoicing and regional sales.
Documents required
Gather these supporting documents and GoldenKey will take care of the rest of import / export code for Filipino-owned companies.
- Bank account letter or IBAN certificate
- Passport and Emirates ID of the authorised signatory
- Trade licence and certificate of incorporation
- Customs code and import records where applicable
- Memorandum of association showing shareholders
- Turnover evidence such as invoices, contracts or financial statements
Pricing
The figures below for import / export code for Filipino-owned companies are updated by GoldenKey whenever the authority changes its fees, so the price you see is the current one. Pricing for import / export code for Filipino-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
Put simply, the UAE's reputation as a trading hub means international clients and suppliers already trust a UAE licence, which shortens sales cycles for import / export code for Filipino-owned companies. There are no restrictions on repatriating profits or capital, so earnings from import / export code for Filipino-owned companies can be moved to your home country or reinvested freely.
Why GoldenKey
Crucially, 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. From day one, 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 Filipino-owned companies happen the same day they are ready. GoldenKey is based in Ajman Free Zone and has helped founders from more than 60 countries with import / export code for Filipino-owned companies, so the paperwork, approvals and timing hold no surprises for us.
Tell us about your plans for import / export code for Filipino-owned companies and GoldenKey will come back to you shortly with a clear price, a document checklist and a realistic timeline.
Frequently asked questions
What happens if I miss the Import / Export Code 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.
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?
Put simply, the customs code is needed before the first shipment, so new traders apply as soon as the licence is released.
Can a Filipino citizen own 100% of a company in Import / Export Code?
Yes. Filipinos 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 Filipino applicants?
Processing for Filipinos follows the same timeline as other nationalities. Documents from Philippines that need attestation are the main variable, and GoldenKey guides you through that step.
