Middle East
Trade terms in United Arab Emirates: what works and what catches people out
Importing into the UAE requires a UAE trade licence (mainland or free zone), so a foreign seller without a local entity cannot simply be importer under DDP. ICC reports foreign insurance is accepted for CIF to the point of entry but not for CIP.
Record last reviewed · Check a route to United Arab Emirates →
DDP when importing into United Arab Emirates Practically hard ✓ Verified
Can a foreign seller clear the goods and pay import taxes in this country?
Practically hard without a local entity. To import, a company needs the right trade licence from the emirate's Department of Economic Development; foreign companies either set up an office or company onshore, or use a free-zone licence (which covers imports into that free zone).
Sources: U.S. International Trade Administration (trade.gov) · last checked
CIF when importing into United Arab Emirates Usable with conditions Needs review
Can the seller buy the cargo insurance abroad for goods going into this country?
ICC's January 2025 barrier list reports that foreign transport insurance is accepted for CIF up to the point of entry.
Sources: International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) · last checked
CIP when importing into United Arab Emirates Restricted / blocked Needs review
Can the seller buy the cargo insurance abroad for goods going into this country?
ICC's January 2025 barrier list reports that foreign transport insurance is not accepted for CIP or for onward carriage into the country.
Sources: International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) · last checked
EXW when exporting from United Arab Emirates Unverified Unverified
Can a foreign buyer handle export clearance out of this country?
No EXW barrier is listed for United Arab Emirates in ICC's January 2025 barrier tables. We have not yet checked national sources, so treat this as unverified.
Sources: International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) · last checked
FCA when exporting from United Arab Emirates Unverified Unverified
Are there export-filing traps when the buyer arranges carriage from this country?
No FCA barrier is listed for United Arab Emirates in ICC's January 2025 barrier tables. We have not yet checked national sources, so treat this as unverified.
Sources: International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) · last checked
FOB when exporting from United Arab Emirates Unverified Unverified
Are there local quirks with FOB when shipping from this country?
No FOB barrier is listed for United Arab Emirates in ICC's January 2025 barrier tables. We have not yet checked national sources, so treat this as unverified.
Sources: International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) · last checked
Sources used on this page
- United Arab Emirates – Import Requirements and Documentation — U.S. International Trade Administration (trade.gov)
- National regulatory barriers to the Incoterms® 2020 rules (updated January 2025) — International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)
Snapshot as of December 2024, compiled from ICC national committees. Used as a lead list: facts that rely only on this document are flagged for review until confirmed against national law.
'Needs review' means the fact relies on a secondary source (often ICC's January 2025 barrier list) or an inference we have not yet confirmed against the national law. Spotted an error or a change? Tell us.