WhatsApp quoteFrom day one, getting Import / Export Code right at the start avoids penalties that are easy to trigger and tedious to appeal. 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. Qatar-UAE commercial ties have strengthened again since 2021, and Dubai is a convenient second base for Qatari groups, which gives Qatari entrepreneurs a ready market and supply chain the moment their Import / Export Code licence is issued. Put simply, payments between Qatar and the UAE are routine: the dirham is pegged to the dollar, Qatari riyal (QAR) transfers settle quickly and UAE banks are familiar with Qatari business profiles.
Why Import / Export Code
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. To be clear, the code is renewed annually with the licence and is required before your first shipment can be cleared. Qatari applicants benefit from the fact that Import / Export Code already has many Qatari shareholders on its register, so its officers recognise Qatar documents and name formats instantly.
Documents required
Importantly, the document list for import / export code for Qatari-owned companies is short, and most clients already have everything on it.
- Trade licence and certificate of incorporation
- Customs code and import records where applicable
- Bank account letter or IBAN certificate
- Passport and Emirates ID of the authorised signatory
- Memorandum of association showing shareholders
- Turnover evidence such as invoices, contracts or financial statements
Pricing
Use the table below to compare packages for import / export code for Qatari-owned companies; we will confirm the exact total for your case in a written quotation. The figures below for import / export code for Qatari-owned companies are updated by GoldenKey whenever the authority changes its fees, so the price you see is the current one.
| 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
In our experience, the UAE sits within an eight-hour flight of two-thirds of the world's population, which is why so many company owners choose it as a base for import / export code for Qatari-owned companies. There are no restrictions on repatriating profits or capital, so earnings from import / export code for Qatari-owned companies can be moved to your home country or reinvested freely.
Why GoldenKey
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 Qatari-owned companies. Most of our Import / Export Code customers come to us through referrals from other entrepreneurs, and that is why we take pride in keeping every promise we put in writing. GoldenKey is based in Ajman Free Zone and has helped founders from more than 60 countries with import / export code for Qatari-owned companies, so the paperwork, approvals and timing hold no surprises for us.
Message GoldenKey now and we will prepare a personalised quotation for import / export code for Qatari-owned companies, valid for 30 days and confirmed in writing.
Frequently asked questions
Does Import / Export Code apply to a new company with no revenue yet?
Just as important, the customs code is needed before the first shipment, so new traders apply as soon as the licence is granted.
What happens if I miss the Import / Export Code deadline?
Importantly, 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.
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.
Can a Qatari citizen own 100% of a company in Import / Export Code?
Yes — Qataris can own the full share capital of a Import / Export Code company with no local partner, exactly like any other nationality.
Do Qataris need a UAE visa before applying for Import / Export Code?
Not in that case. You can apply for the licence from Qatar with scanned documents, and the investor residence visa is processed afterwards.
