DHL UAE FACT SHEET

OVERVIEW
Te United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a federal nation of
seven Arab principalities, including Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Te discovery of some of the worlds largest oil and natural
gas reserves in the 1950s fuelled the countrys transformation
into a modern, open economy supported by stable governance
and a highly developed infrastructure.
Today, the UAE is the worlds eighth largest oil exporter,
but also ofers a highly diverse economy and liberal trade
environment where English is a prevalent business language.
Designated Free Trade Zones ofer 100 per cent foreign
ownership. In addition to being a highly attractive trade
destination in its own right the World Bank ranked the UAE
as the easiest country for doing business in the Middle East
the country is also an important regional gateway and global
hub with some of the worlds biggest and busiest ports.
Upcoming initiatives include further infrastructure
expansions and establishing the UAE as a global leader in
Islamic fnance and clean technologies. Dubai will host
Expo 2020, which will provide additional opportunities
for local and international companies.
Te UK has a longstanding relationship with the UAE:
until 1971, the region then known as the Trucial States
was governed by Britain. Today, the UAE is an important
partner for regional stability and the UKs largest civil export
market in the Middle East; in 2013, UK exports to the UAE
were worth 5.8 trillion. More than 5,000 British companies
are currently operating in the UAE, and the countrys large
expatriate population includes 120,000 UK residents. In
addition, 1 million British tourists and business people
who visited the UAE in 2013.
Sources: BBC, CIA World Factbook, Forbes Magazine, GOV.UK, The Guardian
DHL Gateway
Major City
KEY
Capital City
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
OMAN SAUDI ARABIA
QATAR
BAHRAIN IRAN
OMAN
Ruwais
Al Ain
Mina Zayid
Abu Dhabi
Jebel Ali
Fujairah
Khor Fakkan
Ras al-Khaimah
Umm al-Quwain
Ajman
Sharjah
Dubai
Country Prole
Capital
Abu Dhabi
Population
5.6 million
Area
83,600 sq km
Currency
1 Emirati dirham (AED) = 100 ls
GDP
US$ 269.8 billion (2013 est.)
Languages
Arabic (ofcial), Persian, English,
Hindi, Urdu
Ethnic Groups
Emirati 19%, other Arab and Iranian
23%, South Asian 50%, other expatriates
(includes Westerners and East Asians) 8%
Source: CIA World Factbook
DHL FACTS
Locations: 27
Gateways into the Country: 4
Number of Service Centres: 25
DHL Delivery Zone: 8
Vehicle Fleet: 224
DHL UAE Fact Sheet 2
Source: DHL, CIA World Factbook
UK to Country Transit Times
The times provided for dutiable shipments are based on the time expected
for Customs in the UAE to clear the shipment. This is contingent upon the
value of the shipment.
Abu Dhabi Non-Dutiable: 3 days Dutiable: 3 days
Dubai Non-Dutiable: 3 days Dutiable: 3 days
Al Ain Non-Dutiable: 3 days Dutiable: 3 days
Ras Al-Khaimah Non-Dutiable: 3 days Dutiable: 3 days
Sharjah Non-Dutiable: 3 days Dutiable: 3 days
TRADE INFORMATION ESSENTIAL CUSTOMS INFORMATION
Medical supplies requiring temperature maintenance
of less than 8C degrees cannot be shipped into
the UAE through courier mode as there is no cold
storage facility.
Shipments going to a Free Zone in the Emirate of
Dubai: provide original invoice.
Shipments valued above US$ 270: 5% duty and
clearance delays will apply. Receiver to provide
import code (include on Waybill).
Shipments going to the Emirate of Abu Dhabi ONLY
should have the following documents compliance for
clearance of shipments:
Shipments valued above AED 50,000 (US$ 13,587):
provide original invoice with stamp and signature
of shipper (company) (no legalisation required for
invoice) and original Certicate of Origin stamped
by a Chamber of Commerce.
Shipments valued between AED 1,000 (US$ 270)
and AED 50,000 (US$13,587): provide all original
invoices. The items country of origin must be
mentioned / imprinted on the invoice.
Shipments valued at AED 1,000 (US$ 270) and
below are exempt from these requirements. No
low value threshold applies for the UAE.
Exports from the UAE
$368.9 billion (2013 est.)
Export commodities
Crude oil, natural gas,
reexports, dried fsh, dates.
Top Export Destinations
Japan, India, Iran, Tailand,
Singapore, South Korea.
Imports into the UAE
$249.6 billion (2013 est.)
Import commodities
Machinery and transport
equipment, chemicals, food.
Top Import Origins
India, China, US,
Germany, Japan.
DUTY FREE ALLOWANCE
All shipments are subject to duty and taxes as UAE
Customs do not offer a duty free allowance.
For an estimate of landed costs (duties, taxes
and other import fees) for shipments going to
the UAE, use the free DHL Express Trade
Automation Services (TAS) tool. tas.dhl.com
TAS also provides information on regulation
compliance and trade documentation.
DHL UAE Fact Sheet 3
Prohibited Items
The list below is in addition to DHLs
standard list of prohibited items.
All items offensive to the Muslim
culture or sensitive to the Middle East
security situation, including religious
publications / gures, imitation rearms /
paraphernalia and military uniforms
Antiques
Asbestos
Firearms, or parts of
Furs
Gambling devices
Ivory
Jewellery
Plant products
Plants
Precious metals & stones
Restricted Items
Alcoholic beverages
Receiver must provide a licence and clear
the shipments. Contact DHL Customer
Services for information when shipping
alcohol.
Cashier cheques (NI)
Only acceptable if cancelled or
for deposit only.
Coal & rewood, isopropanol, medical
samples, military equipment, mobile
phones, accessories & component,
non-hazardous liquids, perishables,
radios, radio equipment or parts
Master Waybill to be consigned to actual
receiver, C/O DHL. Provide commercial
invoice, packing list and Waybill. Samples
for human consumption: contact DHL
Special Services on 0844 248 0505.
Equipment can travel on-net but then the
receiver must clear it. Medical shipments:
contact DHL Special Services
on 0844 248 0505.
Communications & telecommunications
equipment, phones / modems and radar
equipment including transmitters
& receivers
Receiver must have approval from United
Arab Emirates Ministry of Communication
before import. All shipments must be
accompanied
by Master Waybill, Waybill,
invoice and packing list.
Compact discs, diskettes, entertainment
& promotional
/ training lms
Under 10 pieces: shipment can clear
Customs within 4 hours of arrival.
Over 10 pieces: shipment requires formal
clearance from United Arab Emirates
Ministry of Information.
Computer tapes, lms: 8mm,
16mm & 35 mm, laser discs, magazines,
periodicals & journals and video
cassettes
Subject to censorship.
Cotton, seeds including
cotton seed and tobacco
Max 1 kg allowed as samples.
Receiver must provide Certicate
of Agriculture. Shipment to be addressed to
receivers name only.
Diaries
Up to 5 kg: send as documents.
Over 5 kg: send as goods.
Diplomatic mail
Over 26 kg (20 kg for shipments sent to
Abu Dhabi): receiver to provide approval
from United Arab Emirates Ministry of
Foreign Affairs.
Drugs: non-prescription
Provide approval from United Arab Emirates
Ministry of Health. May not be sent to
private individuals only to commercial
companies with licence to import. If DHL
is to clear shipment: contact DHL Special
Services
on 0844 248 0505
Drugs: prescription
Provide approval from United Arab Emirates
Ministry of Health. If DHL is required
to clear shipment: contact DHL Special
Services on 0844 248 0505. Prescription
medicine for personal use under a 3 month
course is acceptable.
Foodstuffs
Receiver requires valid license to import
foodstuffs. Non-perishable samples up to
1 kg: send as goods. Import permit may
be required by Customs on a case by case
basis. All other items: send under Master
Waybill directly to receiver C/O DHL. Include
Commodity Code and Goods Country
of Manufacture Health certicate on
commercial invoice. Date of expiry
must be clearly mentioned.
Passports
Can be shipped as documents but
are subject to Customs inspection.
For blank stock airline tickets (NI),
dangerous goods and x-ray machines,
please contact DHL
Customs Services before shipping.
Valid from: 08/2014
For more information
If you need support or advice on trading with the UAE, help is available.
Contact the DHL Express team on
0844 248 0675
DHL Customer Services is also
available on 0844 248 0844
Contact your local Chambers of Commerce
www.britishchambers.org.uk
Contact your local UKTI
www.ukti.gov.uk
Visit www.dhlguide.co.uk for international trade information
and to read our blog
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latest developments in international trade