WhatsApp quoteGoldenKey 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. Import / Export Code is a customs client code that lets your company clear goods through UAE ports and airports, and it applies to any company that physically imports or exports goods, whether mainland or free zone. Portugal and the UAE have strengthened ties through tourism, aviation and renewable energy investment, which gives Portuguese entrepreneurs a ready market and supply chain the moment their Import / Export Code licence is issued. Just as important, payments between Portugal and the UAE are routine: the dirham is pegged to the dollar, euro (EUR) transfers settle quickly and UAE banks are familiar with Portuguese business profiles.
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 documents, 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, and for that reason GoldenKey diarises every deadline for its customers. Put simply, for Portuguese nationals, the practical advantages of Import / Export Code are the ease of travel between Portugal and the UAE, English is the business language in the UAE, and a banking system that processes euro (EUR) transfers daily.
Documents required
For import / export code for Portuguese-owned companies the authority asks for the following supporting documents, and we tell you exactly how each must be formatted.
- Memorandum of association showing shareholders
- Customs code and import records where applicable
- Bank account letter or IBAN certificate
- Passport and Emirates ID of the authorised signatory
- Trade licence and certificate of incorporation
- Turnover evidence such as invoices, contracts or financial statements
Pricing
The figures below for import / export code for Portuguese-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 Portuguese-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
There are no restrictions on repatriating profits or capital, so earnings from import / export code for Portuguese-owned companies can be moved to your home country or reinvested freely. Since 2021, most mainland activities have allowed 100% foreign ownership, and free zones have always offered it, so import / export code for Portuguese-owned companies no longer requires a local partner.
Why GoldenKey
In short, 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 request sit. Put simply, you deal with one named case manager from the first call until your Import / Export Code licence, visa and bank introduction are complete, and that consultant answers your WhatsApp messages personally. GoldenKey is based in Ajman Free Zone and has helped founders from more than 60 countries with import / export code for Portuguese-owned companies, so the paperwork, approvals and timing hold no surprises for us.
Book a call with GoldenKey and we will confirm your eligibility, your costs and your next steps for import / export code for Portuguese-owned companies in a single conversation.
Frequently asked questions
Does Import / Export Code apply to a new company with no revenue yet?
The customs code is needed before the first shipment, so new traders apply as soon as the licence is released.
What happens if I miss the Import / Export Code deadline?
For most clients, 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?
It can. 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.
Can a Portuguese citizen own 100% of a company in Import / Export Code?
Yes. Portuguese nationals can own the full share capital of a Import / Export Code company with no local partner, exactly like any other nationality.
Do Portuguese nationals need a UAE visa before applying for Import / Export Code?
No. You can apply for the licence from Portugal with scanned documents, and the investor residence visa is completed afterwards.
