Dubai has been a business hub and a key player between Asia and Europe w.r.t. trading for a long time now. The city has become a haven for global businesses due to its strong network of logistics centers, business-friendly policies, and ideal location. If you are also looking to start an import and export business of consumer products in the UAE, you first need to request and get permission from Dubai Municipality. But how does one do that and why should one care about it?
This article covers everything you need to know about consumer import and export requests with Dubai Municipality.
Consumer Import and Export Requests with Dubai Municipality – Complete Process Explained
For entrepreneurs, businessmen, and investors to submit consumer import and export requests with Dubai Municipality, there is a defined process. Here is how you can do it:
For Importing Local Market Products
Importers need to get approval from the Dubai Municipality to release consumer product consignments and get their imported products for the local market. All imported products are processed via the Montaji Import Re-export service (CPIP).
Requirements and Process:
- The company must be registered via the Montaji system. The company profile page in the Montaji must have a valid importer code.
- When you submit an import clearance request, you need to make sure that all imported consumer products are declared in the Montaji system.
- Complete information about the product must be shown clearly and permanently on the label. The product label should not be easily removable. Different products have different types of label requirements and guidelines so you have to see what details should be present on the label of your specific product.
- Imported consumer products should be at least six months at the time of entry and should be left with 50% of their remaining shelf life.
- You need to observe compliance with storage and transportation conditions.
- Once the consumer products consignment has arrived at the port of entry (POE), you should submit an online request on behalf of your company to permit to release of the consignments to the local market.
- You need to obtain a CPIP reference number by logging in on the DM (Dubai Municipality) website. In the request, you need to submit the following consignment details:
- Type of container (FCL or LCL)
- Container number (If it is an FCL container)
- Country of origin
- Mode of transport (By sea, air, or land)
- Customs bill of entry and date
- Consignment purpose
- Packing list details (Number of products and product weight and quantity)
- Batch number
- Airway bill number and date
- Port of entry
- Arrival date
- Storage condition
You need to upload the required consignment documents. Upon processing the request, you will receive a notification on your registered mobile number to get the consignment ready for inspection at the port of entry.
You as the company representative need to bring the consignment to the Dubai Municipality inspection area at the port of entry and submit original copies of the required documents.
Holding of Consignment at the Port
A consignment shall be held at the port of entry if any one of the following cases is noticed:
- The company is banned due to old pending cases.
- The products in the consignment are different from the specified packing list indicated in the submitted release request.
- The original documents are either incorrect or incomplete.
Release With Detention
Non-compliant products halt the import process, preventing entry into the UAE market. Under the following circumstances, a shipment will be released with detention to the firm warehouse:
- A sample is needed for a laboratory test.
- Consignment has products not available for inspection at the port of entry (differed inspection procedure – DIP).
- Registration request status for one or more products is still pending.
- The company must have a warehouse in Dubai. Warehouse information should be updated in the importing company profile in the Montaji portal with the following details:
- Submit an undertaking not to dispose of the released consignment or any product until permission is granted.
- Include a valid copy of the importer warehouse license, Makani Number, and contact details of the warehouse in-charge.
- Pay a security deposit of AED 15,000 through the Montaji Deposit Service.
To ensure compliance with regulations and facilitate the import and export process in Dubai, it’s essential to register your products with the Dubai Municipality. Product registration with Dubai Municipality demonstrates your commitment to meeting health, safety, and quality standards, enhancing your credibility in the market. It’s a crucial step in setting up your import and export business in Dubai.
Required Documents for Clearance
- Bill of lading/airway bill
- The Montaji import request reference number (CPIP) or copy of the application request.
- Organic certificate
- MSDS; For perfumery raw materials and Laboratory Test Report
- Customs bill of entry
- Purchase invoice
- Material Migration Test Report (SML/OML) for Food Contact Materials
- Packing list
- EN 71 certificate or laboratory safety report for children toys
- Certificate of origin
- Halal certificate
- Delivery order
Import for Non-Commercial and Events
The Montaji Import Re-export service (CPIP) handles the processing of consumer goods that are imported by a company or local agent for exhibition and event participation, advertising and marketing purposes, market test samples. You need to process them through the CPIP.
- Before being imported, the products have to be listed in the Montaji system.
- The products have to be produced in small amounts rather than in bulk.
Personal Goods
If a product satisfies the following requirements, it can be imported for personal use and entry without the need to file an online import request:
- The passenger or consignee should not be an importer of the products or a regular traveler carrying goods.
- The shipment is imported either as the passenger’s personal property or under their name.
- Products must be produced in small quantities, not in commercial quantities, and with a maximum weight of no more than 30 kg.
- The products are worth no more than AED 3,000.
Required Documents for Clearance
In case the consignment is held at the port, you need to submit the following documents for its clearance:
- Letter of participation from the event or exhibition organizer
- The Montaji import request reference number (CPIP) or copy of the application request.
- Purchase invoice
- Customs bill of entry
- Packing list
- Bill of lading/airway bill
- Undertaking letter stating the purpose of importation for sample products.
- Delivery order
Import for Re-Export
With the help of this service, traders and businessmen can get permission from Dubai Municipality to release consignments of consumer goods that are meant for re-export. When requesting an import for re-export authorization, all imported consumer goods need to be included in the Montaji system.
Required Documents for Clearance
- Packing List
- The Montaji import request reference number (CPRX) or copy of the application request.
- Bill of lading/airway bill
- Customs bill of entry
- Delivery order
- Purchase invoice
The company should submit the following documents after re-exporting the consignment:
- Cargo Export Manifest
- Exit certificate issued by Customs Department
Clearance Procedure
- Imported consumer products should be at least six months at the time of entry and should be left with 50% of their remaining shelf life.
- The company is required to have a warehouse in Dubai.
- Products must not be prohibited, damaged, or spoiled.
- Complete information about the product must be shown clearly and permanently on the label. The product label should not be easily removable. You must check what information has to be on the label of the particular product you are using because different products have different kinds of label standards and guidelines.
- Adherence to transport and storage conditions is mandatory.
- Upon the arrival of the consumer products consignment at the port of entry, the company should submit an online request for a permit to release the consignment to the local market. This is done by logging into the Montaji portal.
- The customer is required to upload the necessary consignment documents.
- An undertaking must be submitted by the applicant, committing to re-export the consignment within a stipulated time, specifically within six months from the date of entry.
- Once the request is processed, a notification message will be sent to the customer’s registered mobile number, instructing them to prepare the consignment for inspection at the port of entry.
- The company representative should bring the consignment to the Dubai Municipality inspection area at the port of entry and submit original copies of the required documents.
Service Charges and Deposit
Here are the expected service charges and amount to be deposited for the import and export requests:
| Number of Consignments | Deposit Amount (AED) |
| 5,000 or less | 1,000 per consignment |
| 5,000 up to 20,000 | 2,000 per consignment |
| 20,000 up to 30,000 | 5,000 per consignment |
| 30,000 or more | 10,000 per consignment |
| General deposit amount for an
unlimited number of consignments of consumer products |
15,000 |
- A knowledge fee of AED 10 and AED 10 for innovation fees shall be collected on every transaction and service, with a fee of above AED 50.
- AED 50 per container is the processing charge for requests to release consumer product consignments to the local market or for re-export.
- After the application has been filed and payment has been verified, there will be no refunds for any payments made.
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As prominent business setup consultants in Dubai, UAE, we offer comprehensive guidance on company formation and related services. Contact us for a professional business setup experience in Dubai, with quick consultations to address all your queries.
FAQs
What is a CPIP in Dubai Municipality?
With the Consignment Release Permit (CPIP) service, you can get an import permit from Dubai Municipality to release consumer product consignments through UAE ports for local market use, non-commercial use, or re-export, provided the product is safe and complies with all applicable health and safety regulations before being brought into Dubai or the UAE.
How can I get product approval from Dubai Municipality?
To get product approval from Dubai Municipality, you need to:
- Get a trading license in the UAE
- Register your company with the Dubai Municipality (DM) Portal
- Create an application for product registration
- Submit the application and pay the charges
How do I apply for CPIP?
To apply for CPIP, you need to register the company in the Montaji portal, list down the products, get them checked by the authorities, and pay the fees for clearance.
Which license is required for import and export in Dubai?
A general trading license is required for the import and export of different types of products in Dubai. You need to get it from the relevant license-issuing authorities. Once the trading license is issued, you will need to register your company with the Dubai Customs Department as well.
