Import & Export from the UK to Dubai: Customs, Rules & Best Practices

What if you could take your UK business global, to a city with zero income taxes, 100% foreign ownership of your business, and direct access to consumers within an 8-hour flight?

That city is Dubai — and more UK entrepreneurs are moving fast to make it their global base. In fact, the UAE is now the UK’s 20th largest trading partner, with £15.8 billion in UK exports for this year alone. Whether you’re exporting engineering tech from London or importing luxury handbags from Dubai to Manchester, the UAE offers a tax-efficient, fast gateway to global trade.

You’ll be anchored in a pro-business environment, subjected to low import tariffs, and modern infrastructure built for trade. To engage in import and export from the UK to Dubai, you’ll need to craft a good understanding of everything — from required documentation and custom codes to VAT, duties, and product compliance.

‍Meydan Free Zone makes that process faster and simpler. With instant digital licensing in under 60 minutes and mPlus support for your customs code processing in as little as three days, banking, and compliance, Meydan Free Zone is your launchpad for growth.

Why UK–Dubai Trade Is Booming and Why It Matters for You

Dubai isn’t just a city where UK expats get year-round sunshine and tax-free income; it’s quickly becoming one of the UK’s most strategic trade partners. If you’re a UK entrepreneur, SME owner, or expat, this is market potential you shouldn’t ignore.

Here’s why:

• The UK exported £15.8 billion to the UAE in goods and services in the last year alone, making it the UK’s 20th largest trading partner, coming in as the 19th largest export partner.
• Over 5,000 UK-based companies already have a presence in the UAE, including Rolls Royce, Mott McDonald, HSBC, and Waitrose.
• 240,000 British nationals already live and work in the UAE, forming one of the largest Western expat communities in the region.

What makes Dubai even more attractive is how easy it is to get started:

1. 0% personal income tax and 0% corporate tax on qualifying free zone income
2. 100% foreign business ownership in the UAE; there’s no need for a local Emirati partner
3. Fully digital business setup in days, not months of bureaucracy
4. Easy access to consumers across Asia, the Gulf, and Asia — all within a short flight range

And one of the biggest opportunities? Re-exporting. Dubai isn’t just a buyer; it's a gateway.

You can bring goods into Dubai, process them in a free zone, and ship them out to other countries like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, or India without paying additional customs duties.

Understanding What You Can Trade Between the UK and Dubai

If you’re wondering what kinds of goods and services you can import and export from the UK to Dubai, the answer is quite a range in both directions. Here’s an overview:

A Step-by-Step Guide to Exporting From the UK to Dubai

Exporting goods from the UK to the UAE might sound a bit daunting, but with the right setup, it can be surprisingly smooth. Whether you’re exporting machinery, shipping beauty products, or high-tech equipment, here’s a clear step-by-step journey of what you need to know to move your goods efficiently.

1. Start With Your GB EORI Number

Before anything departs UK shores, you’ll need an EORI number (Economic Operator Registration and Identification). This number links your business to customs declarations in the UK. Without it, you can’t legally move goods out of the UK.

2. Get The Correct HS Code

Every product exported to the UK must have the right HS (Harmonised System) code. Think of these codes as global trade barcodes, used by customs authorities around the world to identify what you’re shipping.
In a nutshell, an HS code is a multi-digit number that classifies your product under an internationally recognised system.

Use HMRC’s Trade Tariff Tool to search by keyword or browse by category. Avoid guessing on your own, as using the wrong code can cost you time, money, and compliance hurdles.

3. Check If You Need An Export License

Not all goods are free to move. Certain products, like medical tech or chemicals, need an export license. Check if your goods fall under controlled goods; if yes, apply through the Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU) or register for an Open General Export License (OGEL).

4. Know How VAT Works

Most goods exported to the UAE are rated at zero for UK VAT. But it’s a must to show HMRC that the goods have actually left the UK. To stay audit-ready, keep records like commercial invoices, Certificates of Origin, and proof of export through a Bill of Lading.

5. Compile Your Documentation Properly

One of the key aspects when exporting from the UK to Dubai is your documentation. It’s how you stay compliant with trade regulations. This is what you’ll typically need:

Set Up a UAE Business First, Then Get Your Dubai Customs Code

To legally import anything to Dubai, you need a licensed UAE business entity. Whether you’re setting up a company alone or working with a partner, only businesses registered in the UAE are allowed to clear goods through customs.

Once your UAE entity is active, you must apply for a Dubai Customs Code. This is a mandatory importer ID issued by Dubai Customs; without it, your goods can’t enter the country or clear goods at ports and airports. It’s included on all customs documentation and is renewed annually.

If you set up your business with Meydan Free Zone, the customs code application is handled for you by mPlus and processed in as little as 3 working days. The result? You trade faster with compliance.

What You’ll Need When Your Shipment Reaches Dubai

Once your goods arrive in DXB or Jebel Ali, here’s what your Dubai-based entity needs to clear customs:

• 5% customs duty based on CIF (Cost, Insurance, Freight) value.
• 5% VAT charged on most goods.
• A valid Customs Code registered under the business importing goods.
• Attested documentation (commercial Invoice, certificate of origin, etc.). All the goods must be certified by the FCDO/Chamber of Commerce and legalised by the UAE Embassy in London.
• All customs declarations in Dubai are processed through Mirsal 2, Dubai Customs’ electronic clearance platform. Once your customs code is issued, it will be activated in Mirsal 2 for future use in import or export declarations.
• Mandatory certifications if you’re exporting regulated products, such as:

Navigating Rules and Tariffs When Importing Goods From Dubai to the UK

If you’re a UK entrepreneur, you should know that there are massive opportunities beyond exporting to Dubai. Many high-value, in-demand products pass through Dubai’s gates, either as direct exports or re-exports from other global hubs like Africa or Asia.

Whether you’re importing luxury handbags, consumer electronics, or industrial inputs, here’s how to get it right:

1. Get An EORI Number: You must register for an EORI number to interact with HMRC, submit customs declarations, and engage in trade legally.
   
2. Access the Customs Declaration Service (CDS): You’ll need a CDS to submit import declarations for all non-EU goods. You could submit it alone or contact a freight forwarder to help handle the process.
   
3. Classify Goods With HS Codes: Find the right HS code/commodity code using the UK Trade Tariff. Keep in mind to use precise product descriptions; the incorrect ones could delay or block shipment.
   
4. Submit Your Import Declaration Form: Your import declaration form must include details like correct HS codes, country of origin, CIF value, mode of transport (whether by air, sea, or courier), a packing list, and a commercial invoice.
   
5. Pay Off VAT and Import Duties: After you’ve declared imports, it’s time to pay customs duties (this varies by the product category and origin) and 20% import VAT on the total import value, shipping costs, and duties, unless you are VAT-registered and can reclaim it. You can choose to make the payment directly or defer through a duty deferment account if you import from Dubai to the UK regularly.

Final Compliance Checks Before Importing to the UK From Dubai

• ‍Rules of origin and Brexit impact: Since the UK has no FTA in place with the UAE, full tariffs apply to traders. As a result, you need to declare the correct country of origin on your import paperwork.‍
• UKCA compliance and standards: Goods like electronics, toys, or machinery must meet UK standards and need the UKCA mark. Make sure there’s proper labelling, certification, and safety before goods leave Dubai. ‍
• Recordkeeping & HMRC audits: Keep all import records for at least 6 years in case of HMRC audits.‍
• UAE export compliance: UK businesses exporting to Dubai or importing from Dubai should ensure their UAE-based supplier is licensed and goods are cleared through UAE Customs with proper export documentation.

Starting Your Import-Export Business in Dubai With Meydan Free Zone

If you’re a UK entrepreneur looking to trade with or from Dubai, Meydan Free Zone gives you the fastest and most flexible way to get started in Dubai in just a few days. Here’s how:

• ‍Apply Online for Your Individual Trading License
  You can get your trade license issued digitally: within 60 minutes with the Fawri business license or in one day with the Regular business license. Choose from over 2,500+ business activities that encompass food, electronics, retail, and more. Reserve your trade name under the UAE naming guidelines and apply for an individual trading license specifying your industry to align well with CT, banking, and compliance frameworks in the UAE. ‍
• Register for a Dubai Customs Code
  Once licensed, you can apply for your Dubai Customs Code through mPlus, which usually helps you get it into your hands in as little as three working days. ‍
• Open a Business Bank Account
  Meydan Free Zone offers you a guaranteed IBAN through one of their 26+ trusted banking partners, all listed as top banks in the UAE. The result? Faster bank account setup, smoother transactions, and immediate readiness to trade across borders. ‍
• Start Trading Globally
  Begin importing, exporting, and scaling across the region. Now, you’re in a position to leverage Dubai’s strategic location, low tariffs, and world-class logistics to reach markets in the GCC, Asia, Europe, and Africa within a few hours.

In Conclusion

Being at the crossroads of trade between the UK and the UAE is one of the smartest moves a founder can make today. You get zero income taxes, competitive tariffs, fast logistics, and access to markets way beyond the UK. Dubai gives UK entrepreneurs the operational freedom and global reach that can’t be found back home, or anywhere else.

But the real advantage? It comes with setting up the right base.

With Meydan Free Zone, you get a digital-first business setup, a customs code in as little as three working days, a guaranteed IBAN, visa support for you and your family, and the ability to start expanding globally immediately. If you’re ready to take your UK business from crowded markets to global potential, Dubai is where you get the platform. Your enabler? That’s Meydan Free Zone.

FAQs

1. Do I need a UAE business license to import or export through Dubai?

Yes, if you want to import goods into Dubai or clear anything through Dubai Customs, you need a UAE-licensed business. Without it, your shipments can’t be processed. Once your company is set up, you can apply for your Dubai Customs Code and start trading legally. Free zones like Meydan Free Zone streamline the entire process from obtaining your 60-minute Fawri business license to streamlining customs code and helping you secure a UAE residency visa.

2. How long does it take to get a Dubai Customs Code?

It’s faster than most UK entrepreneurs expect. Once your UAE bsuiness license is active, your Customs Code is usually issued in about three working days with mPlus, Meydan Free Zone’s business setup concierge service. This code is your importer ID for clearing goods at ports like Jebel Ali or airports like DXB.

3. What taxes should I expect when exporting goods from the UK to Dubai?

Most UK exports to Dubai are zero-rated for UK VAT, which helps reduce costs. In the UAE, goods typically attract a 5% customs duty based on the CIF value, plus 5% VAT on most items. Specific products like electronics or medical devices may also require approvals from ESMA, G-Mark, or the Ministry of Health.

4. Can I re-export goods through Dubai without paying extra duties?

Yes, and that’s one of Dubai’s biggest advantages. If goods enter a free zone and are re-exported to countries like Saudi Arabia, India, or Qatar, you typically don’t pay additional UAE customs duties. You only pay duties in the destination country. This makes Dubai attractive as a distribution, storage, or processing hub.

5. What documents do I need when my shipment reaches Dubai?

You’ll need a commercial invoice, packing list, airway bill or bill of lading, certificate of origin, and any required product certifications. All documents must be attested and aligned with UAE requirements. Your UAE business must also have a valid Customs Code. Meydan Free Zone’s mPlus, a business setup concierge service, helps ensure your customs code documentation is compliant and clears smoothly.

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