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UAE Customs Duty Calculator

Calculate UAE customs duty (5% standard) and import VAT (5%) on goods entering the country. Handles standard, tobacco, alcohol, and exempt categories — plus free-zone scenarios.

By Alex Thorp, who has set up 40+ UAE businesses · Updated

Your Import

Total Landed Cost

AED 0

~$0 USD

Breakdown

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Importing into the UAE for resale or distribution?

Picking the right structure (mainland vs free zone, with vs without distributor) makes a 20–30% difference on landed cost. The LaunchDub.ai guide breaks down which jurisdiction works best for your import model.

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Customs Duty FAQ

What is the UAE customs duty rate?
The standard UAE customs duty is 5% of the CIF value (Cost + Insurance + Freight) for most goods. Special rates: 100% for tobacco, 50% for alcohol. Some categories like food, medicine, and certain raw materials are duty-exempt under GCC Common Customs Law.
Are imports into UAE free zones duty-free?
Yes, goods imported into UAE designated free zones are exempt from customs duty if they remain within the free zone or are re-exported. Duty becomes payable only when goods cross into the UAE mainland market. This makes free zones popular for trans-shipment and re-export businesses.
Do I pay VAT on imported goods?
Yes. UAE 5% VAT is charged on the duty-paid value of imports (CIF + customs duty). Registered VAT importers can use the reverse charge mechanism so VAT is accounted for in their VAT return rather than paid at the border, improving cash flow.
What is CIF and how is it calculated?
CIF stands for Cost + Insurance + Freight. It's the value of goods at the UAE port of entry: the FOB (free on board) price + international shipping cost + insurance for the journey. UAE customs duty and VAT are both calculated on the CIF value, not just the goods cost.

Related Tools

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Free Zone Finder

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Corporate Tax

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Building an import/distribution business?

JAFZA, Dubai CommerCity, and DMCC each have different customs benefits. The LaunchDub.ai guide shows you which to pick based on your supply chain.

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Disclaimer: Customs duty calculations follow GCC Common Customs Law as administered by Dubai Customs / Federal Customs Authority. Specific HS code-based rates may differ. For precise rates, consult dubaicustoms.gov.ae.