Import Export License in Dubai

1. Identify a local partner and discuss the business terms
2. Prepare Memorandum of Association (MOA)
3. Obtain the preliminary approvals from government agencies
4. Register your trade name
5. Select the business structure for your Company (i.e., LLC or partnership)
6. Apply for a trade license in Dubai
7. Lease or rent Office space
8. Get suitable warehousing facilities for rent or lease
9. Acquire the import & export license
10. Submit the documents to authorities

Advantages of Starting an Import & Export Company in Dubai

1. Well-established business centers
2. Duty-free exports
3. Numerous free zones concentrating on specific industries
4. Strategic location in the MENA region
5. Affordable business setup costs
6. Streamlined visa permits for international traders
7. 100 percent foreign ownership allowed
8. Faster customs processing
9. Easier partnership requirements
10. Facilitates visa for dependants
11. Permit to set up a business with multiple shareholders
12. A robust financial system with a myriad of banking and finance services

Popular Products Permissible in Import-Export Business in Dubai

The list of products allowed for import-export business in Dubai are as follows:

1. Crude oil and its products, along with its refined counterparts, are widely exported commodities in the UAE.
2. Gold, Diamond, and other types of precious jewel-encrusted encrusted jewelry.
3. Cars, automobiles, and various kinds of transport equipment.
4. Cameras, drones, microphones, and other kinds of broadcasting and media equipment.

Export License

The export license in Dubai is required if the owner of the business wants to trade goods and services produced locally in another country or between the free trade zones of the UAE. In order to work seamlessly, one must have an authorized license from the Ministry. It should also be noted that, if the goods are shipped to either of the UAE Free Trade Zones, they will not have to pay any customs duty. While the Free Trade Zone is an integral part of the UAE, it is not part of the UAE Customs Territory. To export the goods from Dubai, an entrepreneur needs to keep the following in mind:

1. Submit the documents required at the Customs Office
2. Declaration registration fee for export must be paid at the customs office
3. Customs Declaration Certificate is issued by the office

Following are the documents required to get an Export License:

1. The licensing agency must give the company an approved Export Declaration Certificate or the Instructions of the Declaration of Goods Application (IDG) as it is mandatory during customs point of entry at the airport.
2. If commodity exported falls in the restricted list, the exporter should have a permit from the regulatory agencies.
3. A Sales invoice providing the description of goods, quantity, and value of each item is required from the company. An invoice should be addressed to the company outside the UAE.

Temporary export is done when goods are transported to a certain location for an interim period and are returned post usage in the exact same condition.

In case of a temporary export, the following procedure is to be followed:

The documents which are required for a Temporary Export Business Transaction are:

1. Goods clearing declaration from the authorities
2. Commercial Invoice (original)
3. Packing list with the HS codes
4. An original export permit from the competent agencies in the event of exporting restricted goods
5. A formal letter from the company requesting a temporary export

Import License

A valid import license will allow the business owner to get any commodity inside UAE from other countries. It also allows smooth movement from one of the free trade zones of the Emirates or into a free trade zone from a UAE mainland by fulfilling the country’s legal necessities in terms of licensing and documents as well as permissions. To import the goods from Dubai, an entrepreneur needs to keep the following points in mind;

1. Firstly, post the arrival of the vessel, a Bill of Lading must be submitted, and all the dues must be paid off by the importer.
2. The shipping agent will issue the delivery order 3-4 days prior to the arrival of the vessel, and the cargo clearance completion must happen within this period.
3. The Import Declaration form needs to be submitted online, where the importer shall make all the relevant payments. Post this the business will be given a Customs Import Declaration Certificate.
4. Before giving goods to the Cargo, Dubai Customs will check all the required documents and even the vessel in some instances.
5. Post a go-ahead from the Customs Department, the importer can appoint a transport company to receive delivery of commodities
6. However, in case of any extra inspection, the container will go to the inspection area of the competent authority, and only after getting a clearance from them can the vessel exit the premises.

Documents that are required to Import are mentioned below:

1. Invoice mentioning the description of the total quantity of goods and the value of each item addressed to the importer.
2. Certificate of Origin stating the origin of goods approved by the country of origins Chamber of Commerce.
3. A detailed document mentioning the weight of each product in a container, packaging, and HS code for all the items.
4. Import Permit from the competent agencies if importer in importing restricted goods or duty exempted goods.