You can get yourself registered through a website, but it takes some expert advice and help to figure out the best way for your business.
Depending on what your company is licensed to do, you might have to register with customs to get your business going. This is especially true if your company deals with importing or exporting, mostly because customs has pretty tough rules about things you can't bring in or are limited. After you're registered, customs will give your company a special code for importing or exporting, and you'll need to use it every time you do business.
Customs registration is mandatory for any business that imports goods into or exports goods out of the UAE. It is not required for businesses that exclusively operate in services (such as consulting, IT, or marketing) and do not handle any physical goods crossing UAE borders. However, even if you import goods only occasionally — for a one-off shipment or sample — you still need a valid customs client code. Without it, your shipment cannot be cleared at any UAE port or airport.
The Dubai Customs client code is valid for one year and must be renewed annually. Renewal is tied to the renewal of your UAE trade license — when you renew your trade license, you must also update your customs registration. Failure to renew results in deactivation of your client code and inability to clear shipments. Dream Global can manage your annual customs registration renewal alongside your trade license renewal to ensure continuity of your import/export operations.
Yes. Free zone companies can and must register with Dubai Customs if they are importing or exporting goods. Free zone companies operating in Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA) and other DP World-managed zones use the Mirsal 2 platform, which is linked to the Dubai Customs portal. Free zone companies importing goods into the UAE mainland (outside the free zone) must also pay applicable customs duties at the point of entry to the mainland, in addition to their customs registration. Dream Global handles customs registration for both mainland and free zone companies.
The UAE applies a standard customs duty rate of 5% of the CIF (Cost, Insurance, Freight) value for most imported goods. Some goods are exempt (e.g. many food commodities, medical equipment, and goods imported into free zones for re-export). Alcohol, tobacco, and certain excise goods attract higher duty rates. The GCC Common External Tariff governs most duty rates across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman. Dream Global can advise on the applicable duty rate for your specific product category.
No. All import and export shipments in the UAE must be processed through a registered customs client account. If you do not have a client code, you must use a licensed customs clearing agent (a third party) who can clear the shipment under their code on your behalf — but this is a temporary solution and the goods are technically imported in their name, which creates legal complications. Dream Global strongly recommends all trading businesses obtain their own customs client code before their first shipment arrives.
