Question 1

What is Dubai customs registration?

Accepted Answer

It is the process of registering your company with Dubai Customs to get a customs client code. That code, sometimes called an importer-exporter code, is what lets you clear goods through any Dubai port, airport, or land border. It is registered on the Dubai Trade portal and tied to your trade license.

Question 2

Do I need a customs code if I already have a trade license?

Accepted Answer

Yes. This is the most common misunderstanding. A trade license lets you run a trading business, but it does not let you clear a shipment. The customs code is a separate registration with Dubai Customs, and you need both before you can import or export.

Question 3

How much does a customs code cost?

Accepted Answer

New registration starts from AED 120, made up of an AED 100 fee plus a AED 20 Knowledge and Innovation charge. Annual renewal is a smaller fee, from around AED 25. The exact amount depends on your business type, and Riz & Mona quotes it clearly before any work begins.

Question 4

How long does registration take?

Accepted Answer

Once your documents are ready and submitted, Dubai Customs usually issues the code within one to three working days. The main thing that slows it down is an incomplete file, which is exactly what we prevent by preparing the application properly.

Question 5

What documents do I need?

Accepted Answer

You need a valid UAE trade license, a passport or Emirates ID copy of the owner or authorised signatory, your Chamber of Commerce certificate, and an undertaking letter, along with a UAE mobile number and email. We prepare and submit the full pack for you.

Question 6

Do free zone companies need a customs code?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Companies in free zones like JAFZA, DAFZA, and DMCC still need a customs code to move goods in and out, including for re-export. The code is required regardless of whether you are on the mainland or in a free zone.

Question 7

What is Mirsal 2?

Accepted Answer

Mirsal 2 is the Dubai Customs electronic system on the Dubai Trade portal that manages business registration and customs declarations. Your registration is filed through it, and once you have your code, your declarations are logged through it too.

Question 8

What changed with the 12-digit HS code?

Accepted Answer

From 2026, all import and export declarations in the UAE use a 12-digit HS code, up from the older 8-digit format. The extra digits give more precise product classification, and using the wrong code can cause holds or fines. We make sure your products are classified correctly.

Question 9

What is UAE PASS and do I need it?

Accepted Answer

UAE PASS is the national digital identity, and Dubai Customs now uses it to sign and submit registrations and declarations on Dubai Trade. It replaced the older digital certificate method, making the process fully electronic. We set this up as part of your registration.

Question 10

Does the customs code need to be renewed?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The code renews annually, on the calendar year rather than your trade-license date. This matters, because a lapsed code freezes your clearance and can bring penalties. We track and handle your renewal so your code never expires unnoticed.

Question 11

What happens if my code lapses?

Accepted Answer

A lapsed customs code stops you from submitting declarations, which freezes your cargo at the port, and it can bring penalties plus a reactivation step. It is a very avoidable problem, and managing renewals is part of what we do for you.

Question 12

What is the customs duty rate in Dubai?

Accepted Answer

The standard customs duty is 5% of the goods' CIF value, with higher rates on certain items such as alcohol and tobacco. Duty applies to imports above a set value threshold. Duty is separate from the registration itself, and we can point you to the right guidance for your products.

Question 13

Can I link my customs code to VAT?

Accepted Answer

Yes, and it is worth doing. Linking your tax registration number to your customs account lets you defer import VAT to your VAT return instead of paying it in cash at the port. It improves your cash flow, and we set the link up during registration.

Question 14

Do I need this before my first shipment?

Accepted Answer

Yes, absolutely. The code must be active before any cargo arrives, because goods cannot clear without it. Registering early, ideally alongside your trade license, means your first shipment moves without sitting at the port.

Question 15

Can Riz & Mona register the code for me?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We prepare your documents, set up your Dubai Trade access, file the registration under the right category, handle the fee, and deliver your active customs code. We then manage your renewals so it stays valid year after year.

Question 16

Can I register the customs code with a new company?

Accepted Answer

Yes, and it is the ideal time. If you are setting up a new trading company, we register your customs code as part of the same process, so you move from trade license to a ready-to-clear customs profile without a gap.

Dubai Customs Registration

What is Dubai customs registration? Dubai customs registration

Why your business needs a customs code customs code

Your trade license and your customs code customs code

Your trade license

Your customs code

What your customs code lets you do customs code

Import goods

Export goods

Re-export

Free zone clearance

Use a broker

Defer import VAT

How much does Dubai customs registration cost? Dubai customs registration

New registration

Annual renewal

By business type

What shapes your cost

Business type

Renewal

Deposit

Setup bundle

A note on pricing

How to register with Dubai Customs Dubai Customs

Prepare your documents

Set up Dubai Trade access

Apply via Mirsal 2

Pay and get approved

Receive your code

Renew each year

Who needs a Dubai customs code? Dubai customs code

Importers

Exporters

General trading firms

Free zone companies

Agents and forwarders

E-commerce and re-export

Ready to get your Dubai customs code?