Exporting to The United Arab Emirates: how to maximize every sales opportunity

Looking to export to the UAE? This guide can help. 

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is known for its prosperity and ambitious and transformational construction projects. It’s home to one of the world’s premier shopping and tourism destinations – Dubai – and to the Burj Al-Khalifa, the world’s tallest building.

The UAE’s 10 million people enjoy relatively high wages and a low cost of living. The economic outlook is positive, and consumers are spending online, especially on goods from overseas. So doing business in UAE looks like a good option and this guide provides you with insights, customer buying habits, and export and customs tips to help your business succeed within this key market.

Market Overview 

Internet habits in UAE

There is very high internet penetration in the UAE and mobile shopping is becoming more popular all the time. Most people are on social media, particularly Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. Amazon is localized while the Noon local online marketplace is also widely used. All this makes it a positive environment for e-commerce. 

The countries UAE imports from most⁽⁶⁾

 Popular payment methods for e-commerce⁽⁷⁾

Import regulations and customs clearance 

Import duty is straightforward in most cases. Goods imported from countries outside the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) or the Greater Arab Free Trade Agreement are charged at 5% of invoice value – except for alcohol imports which are charged at 50%. There are also some free trade zones where imports are exempt.  

Some goods are also subject to excise tax of 50% or 100% – mainly smoking products, carbonated and energy drinks, and products with sugar or sweeteners. 

Preferential duty tariffs for some countries  

Help and advice from the UAE government 

 If you’re considering exporting to UAE, you can get official advice, including helpful guides, from the Official Portal of the UAE government. 

 For information specifically about customs and duties, you can contact the Federal Customs Authority.

Prohibited and controlled goods 

This list is not exhaustive: 

Prohibited goods 

• Controlled/recreational drugs and narcotics 
• Gambling tools and machines 
• Items used in black magic, witchcraft and sorcery 

• Publications/artworks that challenge Islamic values 
• Pirated content  
• Counterfeit currency 

Controlled goods 

• Food products need permits 
• Meat and poultry need Halal slaughter certification 
• Medicines need approval from the Ministry of Health
  

For more detail, visit the Dubai government’s Prohibited and Restricted goods page. 

Buy Now, Pay Later options are also starting to be used more widely, such as Tabby and Tamara Pay. 

Deliveries and returns 

Delivery to the doorstep is the most popular way of receiving e-commerce purchases in the UAE. Free returns are also important – and have become the norm – as shipping is expensive for consumers. Fortunately for e-businesses exporting to the UAE, the rate of returns is relatively low across all product categories. 

Holidays and shopping events  

Cross-border e-commerce businesses can maximize exports to UAE by marketing around these events and managing their supply chains for the increased demand. 

• Ramadan/Eid – taking place in the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, the period leading up to this Muslim holy month is busy for businesses and shoppers  
• Eid Al Adha – the second Eid in the Islamic Calendar, it’s a 3-4 day holiday 
• Diwali – a major festival for Indian expats (who make up approx 30% of UAE’s population)  -
  
• UAE National Day – a two-day holiday at the beginning of December 
• Dubai Shopping Festival – the main event for sales and discounts, with consumers planning in advance what to buy (runs January to February, each year) 
• Black Friday – a global shopping event when marketplaces such as Amazon and Noon offer huge discounts 
• Christmas and New Year

DHL's insider tips for exporting to the UAE

We asked DHL's local UAE experts to help you overcome the most common UAE e-commerce challenges:

1. Make sure your product information is accurate 

In the UAE, brands need to build trust by giving precise product details, as online shoppers rely heavily on this information. Local consumer law provides very strong protection, so inaccuracies can even lead to legal action. 

3.  Excellent customer service is vital 

Service is a particular focus in the UAE. If your e-commerce business can provide a seamless customer journey, you have a much better chance of fostering customer loyalty and repeat business. 

Use a logistics company that knows the UAE 

When exporting to UAE, it’s important to partner with a provider who understands the local market and culture. While many aspects are straightforward, the UAE still has some unique challenges and sensitivities. DHL can help you deliver seamlessly and satisfy the demanding UAE consumer.  

Get started with DHL 

We can help you start exporting to the UAE. To make it easier for you to get your shipments through customs, we offer a free Global Trade Services Toolkit. 

You can also figure out total shipping costs, including duties, taxes and other import fees, using our Landed Cost Calculator.