WhatsApp quoteThe Federal Tax Authority's EmaraTax portal makes Import / Export Code a digital process, but the questions it asks are precise and the supporting paperwork must match your licence exactly. Getting Import / Export Code right at the start avoids penalties that are easy to trigger and tedious to appeal. Put simply, for South African business owners, the UAE is around 8 hours from Johannesburg from Pretoria, the UAE is 2 hours ahead of South Africa, and English is the working language in both countries. As we tell every client, the most common businesses South Africans open through GoldenKey are in finance, hospitality, education and mining services, although Import / Export Code supports almost any activity.
Why Import / Export Code
In short, 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. 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. South African applicants benefit from the fact that Import / Export Code already has many South African shareholders on its register, so its officers recognise South Africa documents and name formats instantly.
Documents required
Gather these documents and GoldenKey will take care of the rest of import / export code for South African-owned companies.
- Bank account letter or IBAN certificate
- Passport and Emirates ID of the authorised signatory
- Customs code and import records where applicable
- Trade licence and certificate of incorporation
- Turnover evidence such as invoices, contracts or financial statements
- Memorandum of association showing shareholders
Pricing
Pricing for import / export code for South African-owned companies depends on the package you choose; every option below includes GoldenKey's service and the government fees stated. Just as important, all prices for import / export code for South African-owned companies are indicative, shown in AED and confirmed in writing before you pay.
| 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
There are no restrictions on repatriating profits or capital, so earnings from import / export code for South African-owned companies can be moved to your home country or reinvested freely. 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 South African-owned companies predictable.
Why GoldenKey
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 South African-owned companies happen the same day they are ready. For most clients, after your Import / Export Code licence is issued, the same team handles renewals, visa additions, amendments and tax registrations, so you never have to explain your business twice. To be clear, 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 South African-owned companies.
If you would like a written quotation for import / export code for South African-owned companies, use the form below or message us on WhatsApp and we will respond as soon as possible.
Frequently asked questions
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.
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.
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 a South African citizen own 100% of a company in Import / Export Code?
Yes — South Africans can own the full share capital of a Import / Export Code company with no local partner, exactly like any other nationality.
Do South Africans need a UAE visa before applying for Import / Export Code?
No. You can apply for the licence from South Africa with scanned documents, and the investor UAE residence visa is completed afterwards.
