The strategic location, multinational demographics & progressive economic policies in the UAE make it a prominent and attractive trade destination. Several regulations & import requirements are implemented from time to time for the importation and trade of products in the country. Importers and traders are obliged to comply with the regulatory requirements as mandated for border clearances & facilitation of business in the country.
Dubai Municipality has deployed a new system “Montaji” Consumers Products Assessment and Registration System (CPARS). Montaji is a web-based software system. The system is a complete software product that allows organizations to monitor and manage its consumer’s product registration, consignments, NOC for Advertisement of consumer products and Free Sale Certificate, Consignment services in an accurate and organized manner. In this blog post, we will be discussing the newly deployed service of import re-export service certificate by Dubai Municipality.
Consumer Products Import and Re-Export Permit (CPIP)
This service enables you to obtain an import permit from Dubai Municipality to release consumer product consignments imported for the purpose of the local market, non-commercial use, or re-export through the UAE’s ports, after ensuring the safety and conformity of the product with the adopted health and safety standards and requirements prior to their entry to the Emirate of Dubai.
Applying for the Consumer Products Import and Re-Export Permit (CPIP)
This recently launched service enables the customer to request for Import, The Importer (Consignee) draft an application for his new consignment. During this process, the consignee fills all the required data including all items in the consignment (Direct through the system or using an excel sheet template). When the consignment arrives at the port of entry and cleared from customs, the consignee attaches a bill of entry to the drafted application, submit and Pay for the application. Back-end officers would review the request and send a notification to the consignee if the consignment required for inspection. Below mentioned are the few steps that need to be followed for the application of CPIP:
- Apply for the service and upload the required documents.
- Pay the due fees.
- Visit Health and Safety Department offices at the port of entry after submitting the application to complete the consignment inspection procedure and obtain the release permit.
Required Documents
With the application of CPIP, there are few important documents that need to be submitted in order to receive approval without any hassle. These documents are:
- Customs Declaration
- Airway Bill/Bill of lading
- Packing list
- Purchase invoice
- Trade license issued from the concerned regulatory authorities in the UAE
- Safety certificate for each toy as per the European standards (EN71)
- Valid analysis/test reports (less than 1-year-old) from an accredited Lab (food contact materials)
- Other documents or certificates depending on the nature of the consignment.
Terms and Conditions for the Approval of CPIP
- The company should have a valid general trading license or license with an activity related to the importation of consumer products.
- Products intended for the local market must be registered in the Montaji system in Dubai Municipality before applying for the import service.
- Products intended for re-export or non-commercial use must be listed in the Montaji system prior to applying for the service.
- Airfreight consignment is always considered as a consignment with (1) container.
- The consignment would be rejected if the products are not registered and do not conform to the adopted health and safety standards and requirements and must therefore be re-exported.
- The consignment would be subject to physical inspection at the port of entry to ensure its conformity with the adopted health and safety standards and requirements.
- The consignment would be released to the company’s warehouse in Dubai if the products are not accessible for inspection at the port of entry on the condition that the company provides an undertaking for detention until the completion of the inspection and issuance of the permit.
- Imported consignments intended for re-export must be re-exported within 6 months from the date of release of the consignment.
- Incomplete applications are returned one (1) time only for amendment.
This permit covers the following consumer products:
- Cosmetics and personal care products
- Fragrances
- Health Supplements
- Biocides
- Detergents
- Food Contact Materials
- Toys
When to Apply for the Permit?
The import permit requests should be closed within 3 months from the date of release for consignments released with undertaking for detention. Import for re-export permit requests should be closed within 6 months of the date of release. The company would be blacklisted on the system in case the import/re-export requests are not closed within the specified period, and a fine might be imposed on the company.
In the Case of Incompliance of the Product Label
The consignment is released to the company’s warehouse with an undertaken in accordance with the recommended regulations and requirements, and the company must take the necessary procedures to modify the product label and thus obtain the approval of the Dubai Municipality for the final release.
We Are Here for You
Dubai export /import business is lately seeing a gradual rise. There is a niche for everyone wanting to start an import/export business in Dubai. However, you must keep in mind that the type of goods you wish to trade will have a bearing on the cost of your custom. To ensure you are armed with the right kind of information, we at Riz and Mona Consultancy can help you understand the A to Z of export/import business in the UAE. We can help you in applying for the “Consumer Products Import and Re-Export Permit” in a hassle-free manner. All you have to do is book an appointment with our consultants. Contact us today for further information.
