Customs clearance
Dubai Customs Clearance — Experienced Customs Clearing Agents
Import, export, re-export and free zone clearance at Jebel Ali, Dubai's airports and the UAE borders — with documents, duty and VAT handled for you.
Every shipment entering or leaving the UAE must be cleared by customs, and that is where most delays and unexpected costs happen. MEPL International's custom clearance agents in Dubai handle Dubai customs clearance from start to finish — import and export declarations, HS classification, duty and VAT, permits for regulated goods and release of your cargo. We hold our own customs clearance licence in the UAE, clear at every UAE port and border, and work with partners in Kazakhstan, across the GCC borders and worldwide.
We clear sea freight at Jebel Ali, air cargo at Dubai International and Al Maktoum, road freight at the UAE land borders and goods moving in and out of the free zones. Because we are also your freight forwarder, clearance is planned before your cargo even arrives — so it moves straight from the port or airport to your door.
Our services
Customs clearance services in Dubai and the UAE
As a custom clearance company in Dubai, we cover every type of declaration your business needs — not just routine imports.
Import clearance
Declarations, duty and VAT payment, inspection and release for sea, air and land cargo.
Export clearance
Export declarations and exit certificates so cargo leaves on time.
Re-export & transit
Duty-free re-exports and transit declarations through the UAE.
Free zone clearance
JAFZA, DAFZA and other free zones, including free zone to mainland moves.
HS classification & valuation
Correct tariff codes and customs values to avoid delays and penalties.
Permits for restricted goods
Approvals for food, cosmetics, medicines, telecom and other controlled items.
Temporary admission
Exhibition goods, equipment and samples imported temporarily against a guarantee.
Duty exemptions & refunds
Applications for exemptions and refunds on eligible re-exports.
Procedure
Dubai customs clearance procedure, step by step
The customs clearance procedure in the UAE runs electronically through Dubai Trade and the Dubai Customs Mirsal 2 system. Here is how an import is cleared.
- 01
Importer registration
The importer's trade licence is registered with Dubai Customs to obtain a customs client code.
- 02
Documents prepared
Commercial invoice, packing list, B/L or AWB, certificate of origin and any permits.
- 03
Declaration filed
We file the import declaration electronically through Dubai Trade with the HS codes and values.
- 04
Duty and VAT paid
Customs duty, import VAT and fees are paid online against the declaration.
- 05
Inspection if selected
Risk-based checks: documents only, or a physical inspection of the cargo.
- 06
Release and delivery
Delivery order and gate pass obtained, cargo collected and delivered to your door.
For exports, the steps run in reverse: the export declaration is filed before shipment, the cargo is cleared at the port, airport or border, and Dubai Customs issues an exit certificate as proof of export.
Free tool
UAE customs duty and VAT calculator
UAE customs duty is charged on the CIF value — the cost of the goods plus freight and insurance to the UAE. Most products attract 5% under the GCC common external tariff.
How it's calculated
Duty = CIF × duty rate
Import VAT = (CIF + duty) × 5%
Example: goods worth AED 50,000 with AED 3,000 freight and AED 200 insurance → CIF AED 53,200, duty AED 2,660 and VAT AED 2,793.
Enter your values to estimate duty and VAT before your shipment arrives.
Estimate only. Duty is calculated on the CIF value (goods + freight + insurance) and import VAT on CIF plus duty. The actual rate depends on the HS code; exemptions, free zone status and VAT-registered importers (reverse charge) change the result. Clearance fees and port charges are extra.
Get a customs clearance quotePaperwork
Dubai customs clearance documents
- Commercial invoice — Seller, buyer, goods description, HS codes, quantities and value.
- Packing list — Pieces, weights, dimensions and marks for each package.
- Bill of lading / air waybill — Transport document from the shipping line or airline.
- Certificate of origin — Country of manufacture, needed for duty and preferential rates.
- Trade licence & customs code — The importer's registration with Dubai Customs.
- Delivery order (DO) — Issued by the carrier or agent to release the cargo.
- Permits & certificates — For regulated goods — food, cosmetics, medicines, telecom, chemicals.
Costs
Dubai customs clearance charges
| Customs duty | Usually 5% of the CIF value; depends on the HS code |
|---|---|
| Import VAT | 5% of CIF + duty, or reverse charge for VAT-registered importers |
| Clearance service fee | Our fee for preparing and filing the declaration |
| Delivery order (DO) | Charged by the shipping line or agent |
| Port / airport handling | Terminal, handling and gate charges |
| Inspection & storage | If the cargo is inspected or waits beyond free time |
We quote government charges and our fee separately and upfront, so you know the full landed cost before the cargo arrives.
Where we clear
Customs clearance at every UAE gateway
Jebel Ali Port
Sea freight imports and exports, FCL and LCL, including JAFZA cargo.
Dubai International (DXB)
Air cargo through Dubai Cargo Village and the airport free zone.
Al Maktoum International (DWC)
Air cargo at Dubai South and the logistics district.
UAE land borders
Hatta, Al Ghuwaifat and other crossings for GCC road freight.
Free zones
JAFZA, DAFZA, Dubai South, KEZAD and Sharjah free zones.
Typical Dubai customs clearance time with complete documents; inspections and permits add time.
Free zones
Free zone vs mainland clearance
Into a free zone: goods enter JAFZA, DAFZA and other free zones with duty suspended, ready for storage, processing or re-export.
Free zone to mainland: duty and VAT become payable when goods move into the UAE mainland, against a mainland importer's declaration.
Re-export and transfers: goods leaving the UAE from a free zone, or moving between free zones, are cleared without duty.
Avoid delays
Why shipments get held at Dubai customs
- Invoice, packing list and B/L or AWB don't match
- Wrong or missing HS codes
- Declared value too low or unsupported
- No permit for regulated goods
- Importer not registered or licence expired
- Duty or VAT not paid on time
We check every document against the cargo before arrival, which prevents most holds and storage charges.
Why choose MEPL as your customs clearing agent in Dubai
Compliance first
Correct HS codes, values and permits — no penalties, no surprises.
Fast release
Documents checked before arrival so cargo clears quickly.
Freight and clearance together
One team for the shipment and the declaration.
Free zone experience
JAFZA, DAFZA and mainland moves handled daily.
Shipping goods too? Combine clearance with our sea freight, air freight or land freight services.
FAQ
Dubai customs clearance — frequently asked questions
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Get a quote
Request a customs clearance quote
Tell us what you're importing or exporting, the port or airport and the value — we'll confirm the documents you need, the duty and VAT, and our fee.
Cargo waiting at the port?
Send us the documents — our clearing agents will tell you what's needed and get it released.