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