Dubai Import Export Code: How to Register with Dubai Customs
If your Dubai company will move commercial goods through Customs, company formation is only part of the process. You may also need to register the business with Dubai Customs and obtain the Customs Business Code used for customs transactions and declarations.
That distinction matters. A trading or import/export licence establishes the company's licensed business activity, while Customs registration enables the company to transact with Dubai Customs when goods are being imported, exported, transferred or otherwise cleared through an applicable customs procedure.
This guide explains what the code is, when it is needed, the documents to prepare, how registration works, the current official registration fee, how renewal works and what comes after the code is issued.
What is a Dubai import export code?
Dubai Customs officially refers to the identifier as a Business Code or customs code. It is a unique identification code associated with a business registered with Dubai Customs.
It should not be confused with the company's trade licence, licence number or a product's HS code. Those serve different purposes.
Three different things
- Trade licence: establishes the company's licensed business activities.
- Customs Business Code: identifies the registered business in Dubai Customs transactions.
- HS code: classifies a particular type of product for customs purposes.
Who needs a Dubai Customs Business Code?
A company needs to consider Dubai Customs registration when its activities require it to transact with Dubai Customs. For a trading business, this commonly becomes relevant when commercial goods will be cleared through Dubai under an import, export or other customs regime.
Dubai Customs states that a company with a Customs Business Code can submit customs declarations for clearance. A licensed clearing and forwarding agent may also clear cargo on behalf of a consignee where the appropriate authorisation and registration requirements are met.
The code is not a substitute for the right company licence
Customs registration comes after the licensing question. Your company still needs a valid licence whose activities properly reflect the business it intends to carry out.
If you have not formed the trading company yet, start with our import export business setup in Dubai guide and service page before treating Customs registration as a standalone step.
Documents and information to have ready
Dubai Customs' current business-registration service lists the following core documents for a new registration:
- Copy of the company's trade licence
- Passport copy of the authorised person
- Emirates ID copy
The online application may ask for more information
Dubai Trade's registration guidance also refers to owner and authorised-person details and, depending on the applicant and business type, additional residence or facility information.
This means it is sensible to prepare the full company and authorised-person file rather than relying only on the shortest document list.
How to get a Dubai import export code
Dubai Customs' customer guidance says business registration can be completed online through the Dubai Trade portal. The practical sequence is straightforward when the licence and applicant information are ready.
Confirm the company's licence
Start with a valid trade licence and confirm that the licensed activities properly cover what the company intends to trade.
Open the Customs business-registration application
Access the relevant registration service through the available Dubai Customs or Dubai Trade channel and select the appropriate new-registration route.
Enter the business details
Provide the requested licence, business, activity, owner, authorised-person and other registration information applicable to your business type.
Upload the supporting documents
Attach the required licence and identity documents and any additional information requested by the registration portal.
Pay the registration fee
Complete the online payment for the Customs business-registration application.
Receive the Customs registration and code
Dubai Customs states that the company registration and customs code are issued by email once the application is completed.
Dubai Customs registration fee and processing time
Dubai Customs currently lists the following information for its Request Business Registration service.
The additional AED 20 is the Knowledge and Innovation fee currently applied by Dubai Customs to service costs of AED 50 and above. On that basis, the listed cost for a standard new registration is currently AED 120.
The stated one-working-day completion time should be treated as the authority's service target for the registration service, not as a guarantee that every application will be completed within that period regardless of missing information or application issues.
You can check the current authority information through the Dubai Customs business-registration service .
Getting the code does not automatically clear your goods
Customs registration establishes the company as a registered Dubai Customs client. Individual cargo movements still need to follow the appropriate customs procedure.
Dubai Customs identifies five broad declaration regimes: import, export, transit, transfer and temporary admission. The correct declaration depends on how and why the goods are moving.
| Customs regime | General purpose |
|---|---|
| Import | Goods entering under an applicable import procedure. |
| Export | Goods leaving Dubai under an applicable export procedure. |
| Transit | Goods moving through the customs territory under a transit procedure. |
| Transfer | Goods being moved between applicable customs locations or procedures. |
| Temporary admission | Goods entering temporarily rather than being imported permanently. |
Typical declaration documents
Dubai Customs currently lists an invoice, packing list, certificate of origin and permits from restriction entities among the documents required for its customs-declaration service.
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Certificate of origin
- Any permit required for restricted or regulated goods
- Correct goods classification and declaration information
Still setting up the import-export company?
If you do not yet have the licensed company that will carry out the trading activity, start with the business structure and licence first. Customs registration can then be handled as part of the company's operational setup.
View Import Export Business SetupWhat about a Dubai free-zone company?
Free-zone status does not remove customs procedures from every movement of goods.
Dubai Customs specifically notes that when a free-zone company sells goods to the mainland, the appropriate customs declaration must be processed. The exact procedure depends on the movement of the goods and the relevant customs regime.
This is one reason the company-formation decision and the goods-flow decision should be planned together. A business that stores goods in a free zone and supplies mainland customers may have a different operational route from a company that only re-exports goods internationally.
Does the Dubai Customs code expire?
Dubai Customs' customer guidance states that the validity of the Business Code is associated with the validity of the company's licence.
It also states that renewal of the Business Code can be requested after the underlying licence has been renewed by the competent licensing authority.
Renewal order
- Renew the company's trade licence where required.
- Make sure the company's Customs records remain current.
- Submit the Business Code renewal through the applicable Customs channel.
- Check that authorised-person and company details are still accurate.
A practical import-export checklist
Before committing a shipment, make sure the company and the shipment itself are both ready for the applicable customs process.
- The company holds a current and appropriate trade licence.
- The Dubai Customs Business Code is active where required.
- The goods are correctly identified and classified.
- The commercial invoice accurately describes the goods.
- The packing list agrees with the shipment.
- The certificate of origin is available where required.
- Any product-specific permit or regulatory approval has been obtained. If product-level registration applies, review the product registration in Dubai requirements before clearance.
- The correct customs declaration route has been identified.
- Your freight forwarder or customs broker has the information needed to process the shipment where one is being used.
Dubai import export code FAQs
Is a Dubai import export code the same as a customs code?
The phrase “import export code” is commonly used when discussing Customs registration, while Dubai Customs officially refers to the identifier as a Customs Business Code or customs code. It is the unique business identifier issued through Customs registration.
Can I get a Dubai Customs code before obtaining a trade licence?
A valid trade licence is a core document for Dubai Customs business registration, so the company licensing stage comes first.
How much does a Dubai Customs Business Code cost?
Dubai Customs currently lists AED 100 for the business-registration service, plus AED 20 in Knowledge and Innovation fees, giving a current listed total of AED 120 for the standard new-registration service.
How long does Dubai Customs registration take?
Dubai Customs currently states a service completion time of one working day for Request Business Registration. Incomplete or problematic applications may require additional time.
Does a free-zone company need to deal with Dubai Customs?
It can, depending on how goods are moving. Dubai Customs states that an appropriate customs declaration is required when a free-zone company sells goods to the mainland. The exact procedure depends on the transaction and customs regime.
What documents are commonly required when clearing a shipment?
Dubai Customs lists the invoice, packing list, certificate of origin and permits from restriction entities among the documents for its customs-declaration service. Requirements can vary with the goods and declaration type.
Does the Customs Business Code need to be renewed?
Yes. Dubai Customs guidance links the validity of the Business Code to the validity of the underlying trade licence and states that Business Code renewal follows licence renewal.
