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 expansions and establishing the UAE as a global leader in Islamic finance and clean technologies. Dubai will host Expo 2020, which will provide additional opportunities for local and international companies.

The UK has a longstanding relationship with the UAE: until 1971, the region – then known as the ‘Trucial States’ – was governed by Britain. Today, the UAE is an important partner for regional stability and the UK’s largest civil export market in the Middle East; in 2013, UK exports to the UAE were worth £5.8 trillion. More than 5,000 British companies are currently operating in the UAE, and the country’s large expatriate population includes 120,000 UK residents. In addition, 1 million British tourists and business people who visited the UAE in 2013.

Sources: BBC, CIA World Factbook, Forbes Magazine, GOV.UK, The Guardian

DHL GatewayMajor City

KEYCapital City

UNITED ARAB EMIRATESOMANSAUDI ARABIA

QATAR

BAHRAIN IRAN

OMAN

Ruwais

Al Ain

Mina ZayidAbu Dhabi

Jebel AliFujairah

Khor Fakkan

Ras al-KhaimahUmm al-Quwain

AjmanSharjahDubai

Country Profile

Capital Abu Dhabi

Population 5.6 million

Area 83,600 sq km

Currency 1 Emirati dirham (AED) = 100 fils

GDP US$ 269.8 billion (2013 est.)

Languages Arabic (official), Persian, English, Hindi, Urdu

Ethnic Groups Emirati 19%, other Arab and Iranian 23%, South Asian 50%, other expatriates (includes Westerners and East Asians) 8%

Source: CIA World Factbook

DHL FACTS

Locations: 27

Gateways into the Country: 4

Number of Service Centres: 25

DHL Delivery Zone: 8

Vehicle Fleet: 224

DHL UAE Fact Sheet 2

Source: DHL, CIA World Factbook

UK to Country Transit Times

The times provided for dutiable shipments are based on the time expected for Customs in the UAE to clear the shipment. This is contingent upon the value of the shipment.

Abu Dhabi Non-Dutiable: 3 days Dutiable: 3 days

Dubai Non-Dutiable: 3 days Dutiable: 3 days

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

TRADE INFORMATION ESSENTIAL CUSTOMS INFORMATION

Medical supplies requiring temperature maintenance of less than 8°C degrees cannot be shipped into the UAE through courier mode as there is no cold storage facility.

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 invoice) and original Certificate of Origin stamped by a Chamber of Commerce.

• Shipments valued between AED 1,000 (US$ 270) and AED 50,000 (US$13,587): provide all original invoices. The items’ country of origin must be mentioned / imprinted on the invoice.

• Shipments valued at AED 1,000 (US$ 270) and below are exempt from these requirements. No low value threshold applies for the UAE.

Exports from the UAE

$368.9 billion (2013 est.)

Export commodities Crude oil, natural gas, reexports, dried fish, dates.

Top Export Destinations Japan, India, Iran, Thailand, Singapore, South Korea.

Imports into the UAE

$249.6 billion (2013 est.)

Import commodities Machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, food.

Top Import Origins India, China, US, Germany, Japan.

DUTY FREE ALLOWANCE All shipments are subject to duty and taxes as UAE Customs do not offer a duty free allowance.

For an estimate of landed costs (duties, taxes and other import fees) for shipments going to the UAE, use the free DHL Express Trade Automation Services (TAS) tool. tas.dhl.com TAS also provides information on regulation compliance and trade documentation.

DHL UAE Fact Sheet 3

Prohibited ItemsThe list below is in addition to DHL’s standard list of prohibited items.

• All items offensive to the Muslim culture or sensitive to the Middle East security situation, including religious publications / figures, imitation firearms / paraphernalia and military uniforms

• Antiques

• Asbestos

• Firearms, or parts of

• Furs

• Gambling devices

• Ivory

• Jewellery

• Plant products

• Plants

• Precious metals & stones

Restricted Items

Alcoholic beverages

Receiver must provide a licence and clear the shipments. Contact DHL Customer Services for information when shipping alcohol.

Cashier cheques (NI)

Only acceptable if cancelled or ‘for deposit only’.

Coal & firewood, isopropanol, medical samples, military equipment, mobile phones, accessories & component, non-hazardous liquids, perishables, radios, radio equipment or parts

Master Waybill to be consigned to actual receiver, C/O DHL. Provide commercial invoice, packing list and Waybill. Samples

for human consumption: contact DHL Special Services on 0844 248 0505. Equipment can travel on-net but then the receiver must clear it. Medical shipments: contact DHL Special Services on 0844 248 0505.

Communications & telecommunications equipment, phones / modems and radar equipment including transmitters & receivers

Receiver must have approval from United Arab Emirates Ministry of Communication before import. All shipments must be accompanied by Master Waybill, Waybill, invoice and packing list.

Compact discs, diskettes, entertainment & promotional / training films

Under 10 pieces: shipment can clear Customs within 4 hours of arrival. Over 10 pieces: shipment requires formal clearance from United Arab Emirates Ministry of Information.

Computer tapes, films: 8mm, 16mm & 35 mm, laser discs, magazines, periodicals & journals and video cassettes

Subject to censorship.

Cotton, seeds including cotton seed and tobacco

Max 1 kg allowed as samples. Receiver must provide Certificate of Agriculture. Shipment to be addressed to receiver’s name only.

Diaries

Up to 5 kg: send as documents. Over 5 kg: send as goods.

Diplomatic mail

Over 26 kg (20 kg for shipments sent to Abu Dhabi): receiver to provide approval from United Arab Emirates Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Drugs: non-prescription

Provide approval from United Arab Emirates Ministry of Health. May not be sent to private individuals – only to commercial companies with licence to import. If DHL is to clear shipment: contact DHL Special Services on 0844 248 0505

Drugs: prescription

Provide approval from United Arab Emirates Ministry of Health. If DHL is required to clear shipment: contact DHL Special Services on 0844 248 0505. Prescription medicine for personal use under a 3 month course is acceptable.

Foodstuffs

Receiver requires valid license to import foodstuffs. Non-perishable samples up to 1 kg: send as goods. Import permit may be required by Customs on a case by case basis. All other items: send under Master Waybill directly to receiver C/O DHL. Include Commodity Code and Goods Country of Manufacture Health certificate on commercial invoice. Date of expiry must be clearly mentioned.

Passports

Can be shipped as documents but are subject to Customs inspection.

For blank stock airline tickets (NI), dangerous goods and x-ray machines, please contact DHL Customs Services before shipping.

Valid from: 08/2014

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 Commercewww.britishchambers.org.uk

Contact your local UKTIwww.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