Step-by-Step Guide to Import Food Products from India into Dubai

Importing food from India into Dubai has always been a powerful business model — but today, demand is at an all-time high. From spices and packaged snacks to frozen parathas, masalas, ready-to-eat meals, rice, tea, coffee and specialty foods, Indian products dominate supermarket shelves across the UAE. The Indian diaspora is a major driver, but the real story is broader: Emiratis, Arabs, Africans, Europeans and Southeast Asians all buy Indian food because it is trusted, competitively priced and culturally familiar.

For Indian exporters, Dubai is more than a destination — it is a global distribution hub. Food shipped into Dubai can reach Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar and Africa with ease. But unlike exporting textiles or electronics, food imports require strict compliance, proper licensing and step-by-step documentation.

If you're an Indian entrepreneur planning to import food products into Dubai, this guide gives you a clear, accurate and practical playbook to do it right.

Why Dubai Is a Prime Market for Indian Food Imports

Dubai’s food economy is built on three realities that favour Indian exporters:

There is constant demand.
Indian brands dominate shelves at Carrefour, Lulu, Choithrams, Spinneys, Union Coop and dozens of neighbourhood stores. Packaged foods are purchased by every demographic, not just Indians.

Logistics are unbeatable.
Shipping from Mumbai, Mundra, Kochi or Chennai to Jebel Ali Port is fast and predictable. Once in Dubai, goods move across the GCC through established re-export corridors.

Regulations are strict but transparent.
Dubai’s food safety framework is modern, digitised and easy to navigate once you understand the sequence.

For Indian exporters who prefer clear rules and predictable outcomes, Dubai is one of the easiest global food markets to scale.

Step-by-Step Guide to Import Food Products from India into Dubai

Step 1: Register a UAE Company

To import food into Dubai, you must have a UAE-licensed company — because the importer, not the exporter, needs to be based locally. This local entity must be authorised for trading activities linked to foodstuff importation.

Most Indian entrepreneurs choose a Dubai free zone, especially if they are not opening a physical grocery store. A jurisdiction such as Meydan Free Zone is ideal because it offers a 24/7 digital setup system, making it easy to incorporate even if you’re managing operations from India.

Your food import company will need:

• A trade license
• Import/export permissions
• Visa allocation (optional)
• A corporate bank account

You can begin the process via the Meydan Free Zone business setup page or their consultation page.

Step 2: Get Your Import–Export Code

Once your company is licensed, you must register it with Dubai Customs to obtain an Import–Export Code. This code allows your shipments to pass through ports like Jebel Ali or air cargo via DXB.

The Customs registration process is online, and approvals are typically fast.
A Meydan Free Zone company can integrate efficiently with customs procedures, thanks to the free zone’s logistics partners and trade-ready setup.

Step 3: Register Your Company with Dubai Municipality / Food Safety Department

Food imports in Dubai are regulated by the Dubai Municipality Food Safety Department, which ensures that all consumable products entering the UAE meet safety and hygiene standards.

Your UAE company must be registered with the food safety system so you can declare products, file import requests and submit documentation.

This includes:

• Company registration
• Importer credentials
• Authorised signatories
• Food handling declarations (if applicable)

The registration gives your company eligibility to bring in food shipments legally.

Step 4: Register Individual Food Products with FIRS (Food Import and Re-Export System)

Before you can import any consumable item, every product must be registered in Dubai Municipality’s FIRS platform. This applies to:

• Packaged FMCG
• Frozen foods
• Spices
• Grains
• Beverages
• Ready meals
• Condiments
• Organic foods

For each product, the authorities require:

• Complete label details
• Ingredient list
• Nutritional information (when applicable)
• Manufacturing and expiry dates
• Country of origin
• HS codes
• Allergen declarations
• Storage instructions

FIRS approval is the single most important step in the process. Without it, your product cannot clear Dubai Customs, regardless of whether you already comply with Indian regulations.

Step 5: Ensure Your Product Label Meets UAE Standards

Dubai has specific labelling rules for food imports, which Indian manufacturers must follow:

• All labels must be English or Arabic (bilingual recommended).
• Ingredients must be listed in descending order.
• Allergens should be highlighted.
• Shelf life must follow UAE formats.
• Health claims must comply with local laws.
• Organic products require recognised certification.

If your labels don’t comply, the shipment may be held at the port until corrected.

Indian exporters often redo packaging specifically for Dubai and GCC markets because it ensures smoother clearance, faster turnover and better acceptance by retailers.

Step 6: Ship the Products from India to Dubai

Shipping routes from India to Dubai are among the most efficient in the world, which is why food shipments move quickly and reliably between the two countries.

Bulk consignments typically travel by sea freight, while high-value or time-sensitive perishables are often air-shipped. Frozen products move in refrigerated containers to maintain temperature integrity.

Most exporters ship out of major Indian ports such as Nhava Sheva (JNPT) in Mumbai, Mundra, Cochin or Chennai, depending on their sourcing region and cargo type. On the UAE side, goods almost always land at Jebel Ali Port, the region’s largest and most sophisticated logistics hub.

The short transit time between India and Dubai makes even frozen and perishable food categories commercially viable, allowing Indian brands to compete aggressively in the UAE’s fast-moving food market.

Step 7: Submit Your Import Request on FIRS

As the shipment moves toward Dubai, you must submit an import request through the FIRS portal. This includes:

• Shipment details
• Container number
• Manifest
• Packing list
• Commercial invoice
• Health certificates
• Halal certificates (if applicable)

This advance declaration helps Dubai Municipality prepare for inspection.

Step 8: Food Inspection & Clearance at Dubai Port

When your shipment arrives, it goes through:

1. Documentation review

Authorities check your FIRS entries, certificates and labels.

2. Physical inspection

Inspectors verify:

• Packaging integrity
• Temperature (for frozen goods)
• Labelling accuracy
• Compliance with product registration

3. Laboratory testing (risk-based)

Not every shipment is tested. High-risk or new items may be sampled.

Once cleared, the product is released to you or your logistics partner.

Step 9: Distribute Within Dubai or Re-Export Across the GCC

After clearance, you can:

• Sell directly to supermarkets
• Supply to distributors
• Deliver to wholesalers
• Sell online
• Re-export to Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Africa

This is where Dubai becomes powerful for Indian exporters — it’s not just a retail market, it’s the nerve centre of regional food commerce.

Many Indian exporters establish a UAE company specifically so they can use Dubai as their GCC distribution hub.

Why Many Indian Food Importers Choose Meydan Free Zone

Importing food into Dubai requires:

• A UAE company
• Import permissions
• Clean documentation
• Strong banking accessibility
• Digital systems that don’t involve unnecessary delays

A free zone such as Meydan Free Zone fits naturally into this journey. Located at the Meydan Hotel and operating the UAE’s only 24/7 fully digital licensing system, it gives Indian importers a fast, seamless way to establish their operations. It offers MoFA-accredited licenses, guaranteed IBAN access through 26+ banking partners, and a trade ecosystem that supports customs, logistics and marketplace expansion — essential for food brands that want to scale quickly.

You can explore licensing options at the Meydan Free Zone business setup page.

FAQs

1. Can I import food to Dubai without a UAE company?

No. Only a UAE-licensed entity can import food products legally.

2. Do food products from India need lab testing in Dubai?

Only risk-based categories or new-to-market items may require testing. Routine imports often clear with visual inspection and documentation.

3. Are frozen foods allowed?

Yes — frozen parathas, vegetables, meats, dairy substitutes and ready meals are widely imported from India, but must meet strict temperature and hygiene requirements.

4. Do I need Halal certification?

For meat and certain processed foods, yes. For vegetarian-only products, certification is usually not mandatory but depends on the category.

5. Is a Dubai free zone suitable for food imports?

Yes. Many Indian importers use free zones such as Meydan Free Zone for food import and re-export because the company formation is digital, efficient and widely recognised by customs and banks.