WhatsApp quoteIn practice, getting Import / Export Code right at the start avoids penalties that are easy to trigger and tedious to appeal. Crucially, the Federal Tax Authority's EmaraTax portal makes Import / Export Code a digital process, but the questions it asks are precise and the supporting documents must match your licence exactly. Payments between Saudi Arabia and the UAE are routine: the dirham is pegged to the dollar, Saudi riyal (SAR) transfers settle fast and UAE banks are familiar with Saudi business profiles. As we tell every client, saudi-UAE trade is the largest intra-GCC flow, and many Saudi groups use Dubai as a regional and international base, which gives Saudi entrepreneurs a ready market and supply chain the moment their Import / Export Code licence is issued.
Why Import / Export Code
Importantly, penalties for late Import / Export Code or late filing start at fixed amounts and grow with delay, so GoldenKey diarises every deadline for its clients. From day one, the steps for Import / Export Code are: apply on the Dubai Trade or relevant customs portal, upload licence and authorised signatory supporting documents, pay the registration fee and then link the code to your freight forwarder. Crucially, for Saudi nationals, the practical advantages of Import / Export Code are the ease of travel between Saudi Arabia and the UAE, Arabic is the official language of the UAE, so paperwork and contracts are fully accessible, and a banking system that processes Saudi riyal (SAR) transfers daily.
Documents required
Gather these documents and GoldenKey will take care of the rest of import / export code for Saudi-owned companies.
- Memorandum of association showing shareholders
- Passport and Emirates ID of the authorised signatory
- Trade licence and certificate of incorporation
- Bank account letter or IBAN certificate
- Customs code and import records where applicable
- Turnover evidence such as invoices, contracts or financial statements
Pricing
All prices for import / export code for Saudi-owned companies are indicative, shown in AED and confirmed in writing ahead of payment. As we tell every client, the figures below for import / export code for Saudi-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 2026-10-06.
Why the UAE
Since 2021, most mainland activities have allowed 100% foreign ownership, and free zones have always offered it, so import / export code for Saudi-owned companies no longer requires a local partner. The dirham has been pegged to the US dollar since 1997, which removes currency risk for import / export code for Saudi-owned companies and makes international pricing simple.
Why GoldenKey
Crucially, 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 Saudi-owned companies. On the ground, our quotations for import / export code for Saudi-owned companies list every government fee and our service fee on one page, in writing, before you pay anything. GoldenKey builds its own CRM and client portal, so you can see the status of your Import / Export Code application, download your papers and pay invoices from your phone.
As we tell every client, start your Import / Export Code journey with a free consultation: share a few details about your business and we will map out the fastest route to your licence.
Frequently asked questions
What happens if I miss the Import / Export Code deadline?
Put simply, 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, 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.
How long does Import / Export Code take with the FTA?
The FTA usually responds within 20 business days, and simple applications are often approved faster. GoldenKey submits a complete file to avoid information requests.
Can a Saudi citizen own 100% of a company in Import / Export Code?
Absolutely. Saudi nationals can own the full share capital of a Import / Export Code company with no local partner, exactly like any other nationality.
Is there a double taxation agreement between Saudi Arabia and the UAE?
It can. The UAE and Saudi Arabia have a double taxation agreement, and a UAE tax residency certificate lets you claim treaty relief on qualifying income. GoldenKey can obtain the certificate once your company is established.
