The short answer
Clearance fee[AED range] per shipment
Duty[5 percent of CIF value on most goods, confirm]
VAT[5 percent, confirm]
Last checked[date]
What you pay and who you pay it to
A customs clearance in Dubai has three parts. Duty and VAT go to the government. The clearance fee goes to your clearing agent for preparing and filing the declaration.
Port or airport handling, storage and delivery are separate charges, billed by the terminal or by us.
How import duty in the UAE is worked out
Duty is charged on the CIF value: the cost of the goods plus insurance and freight to the UAE. VAT is then charged on the CIF value plus the duty.
Worked example
Goods value[AED X]
Insurance and freight[AED X]
CIF value[AED X]
Duty at [5 percent][AED X]
VAT at [5 percent] on CIF plus duty[AED X]
Total duty and VAT[AED X]
What is billed separately
Some costs depend on the shipment and are not part of the clearance fee.
- Storage at the port, airport or warehouse
- Inspection charges if customs selects the cargo
- Delivery from the port or airport to your door
- Attestation of documents and permits
Free zone and mainland cost differences
Goods entering a free zone usually have duty suspended. Duty and VAT become due when the goods move into the mainland.
Mainland companies pay duty and VAT when the goods are cleared at the port or airport.
How to keep clearance costs down
- Send complete documents before the cargo arrives
- Use the correct HS code for every line
- Check if your goods need a permit before shipping
- Plan delivery so the cargo does not wait in storage
Checked by [name, role] on [date].
