Understanding Customs Duties in the UAE

Customs duties are taxes on goods that cross a border. In the UAE, these duties follow the GCC Common Customs Law. The Federal Customs Authority runs the system.

The standard UAE duty is 5% of the CIF value. CIF stands for Cost, Insurance, and Freight. So you pay 5% on the goods, the shipping, and the insurance to the UAE port.

Some goods have very different rates. Tobacco is 100%. Alcohol is 50%. Some food items are 0%. Goods from other GCC states with a valid certificate of origin are usually exempt.

Free zone firms in Dubai and other emirates can bring in goods duty-free. But the goods must stay in the free zone. Once they move to the mainland, the duty applies.

Excise tax is separate from customs duty. It covers carbonated drinks (50%), energy drinks (100%), tobacco (100%), and e-smoking devices (100%).

Paying the wrong duty or hiding the real value can lead to big fines. Border Link's team calculates the right amount for you. We also show you legal ways to lower your duty through proper tariff codes.