United Arab Emirates

Specific Information

The importation of used household goods and personal effects into the UAE is exempt from customs duties, provided the consignee holds a valid UAE residence visa. Without a residence visa — or without the passport to which the visa is affixed — no customs clearance or shipping line release will be possible.

All documents must be in place before the shipment arrives at port. Late or incomplete documentation results in storage charges and potential examination fees.

Duties on New Items: Import duty is charged at 5% of the CIF (cost, insurance, freight) value for any new items in the shipment. VAT at 5% applies to the total shipment value.

Free Storage Period: Shipments not cleared within 5 days of arrival at port are not granted a free storage period and attract port charges from day one of arrival. Shipments arriving before the weekend (Friday and Saturday in the UAE) effectively lose two clearing days and are more likely to incur storage charges. Plan arrivals for Sunday through Wednesday.

Customs Inspection: Customs authorities may conduct intensive physical inspections of import shipments. Inspection charges are incurred by the consignee. If prohibited items are found, severe penalties apply, including fines, imprisonment, or both.

GCC Customs Union: The UAE is a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Customs Union. Goods destined for UAE mainland are subject to the GCC Common Customs Law. Goods destined for Free Trade Zones (FTZs) — of which there are approximately 45 in the UAE — are exempt from customs duty. Household goods shipments are generally cleared through Jebel Ali Port (Dubai) or Abu Dhabi Port for mainland delivery.

Jebel Ali Congestion: Jebel Ali is one of the busiest ports in the world and experiences periodic congestion. Allow approximately 1 to 2 weeks from arrival date for vehicle and large household goods shipments.

ISPM 15: All wooden packing materials must comply with ISPM 15 phytosanitary treatment standards.

Prohibited & Restricted Items

Importing a Used Personal Vehicle

Required Documents

• Copy of passport
• Copy of residence visa on passport
• Residence permit
• Original / express bill of lading
• Authorization letter
• Title / copy of certificate of origin / registration card from country of origin (must include detailed description: engine number, year of production, color, and other specifications)
• Copy of commercial invoice / purchase invoice
• Proof of ownership
• Copy of diplomatic card (diplomats)

Specific Information

Duties and Taxes: Import duty on vehicles is charged at 5% of CIF value. VAT at 5% applies to the total shipment value. There is no minimum ownership period that affects duty eligibility — length of prior ownership is not considered.

Customs Clearance Certificate: Customs issues a vehicle clearance certificate within 2 to 3 days. This document is required to register the vehicle with the traffic department.

Residence Visa Required: The owner of the vehicle must provide a copy of their UAE residence visa before any clearance or release can take place.

Vehicle Age: Vehicles older than 10 years may be imported with approval from the local agent. Confirm requirements with the destination agent before shipment.

Left-Hand Drive Only: Only left-hand drive vehicles are permitted for import into the UAE.

Tinted Glass: Vehicles with tinted glass are restricted from import.

Information Required for Customs Clearance:

• Make, model, and model number
• Color
• Year of manufacture
• Current market value
• Engine and chassis number
• Vehicle weight (if applicable)

Jebel Ali: Allow approximately 1 to 2 weeks from arrival date for clearance due to port congestion.

Pets

• Dogs: canine distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis (canicola and icterohaemorrhagiae), parvovirus, and parainfluenza (Bordetella required for boarding) 3. Additional vaccinations (must be current):
• Cats: feline viral rhinotracheitis (herpesvirus), calicivirus, panleukopenia (FVRCP) 3. Additional vaccinations (must be current):

Significant Update vs. IAM Baseline: The IAM guide lists only five documents and states "Permission from the embassy is required for importation" as the only specific information. Current requirements are far more detailed. The UAE operates a high-risk/low-risk country classification system for rabies titer testing, has an extensive breed ban list, requires an MOCCAE import permit (not mentioned in the IAM baseline), and mandates that all pets travel as manifested cargo — not in the cabin or as checked baggage.

1. ISO 11784/11785-compliant 15-digit microchip — must be implanted before the rabies vaccination; a rabies vaccination administered before microchipping will not be accepted

1. Rabies vaccination administered at least 21 days but no more than 12 months before entry; pet must be at least 12 weeks old at vaccination

1. Rabies antibody titer test (RNATT/RSNT) — required for pets from high-risk countries (see below); blood sample must be collected at least 21 days after the most recent rabies vaccination and results must be at least 0.5 IU/ml; titer test must be conducted within 12 months of travel (or within 90 days if from certain countries — confirm with agent)

1. Internal and external parasite treatment within 14 days of departure, documented on the health certificate

1. International health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian and endorsed by a government veterinarian in the country of origin within 10 days of entry

1. UAE Import Permit issued by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) — valid for 30 days from issuance; can be applied for online at moccae.gov.ae; allow 3 days to 2 weeks for processing

1. Owner's passport

1. Owner's UAE residence visa

High-Risk vs. Low-Risk Countries: The UAE classifies countries based on rabies risk. Pets from countries recognized as rabies-controlled (including the UK, Germany, Australia, Japan, Singapore, Sweden, New Zealand, and others) are exempt from the rabies titer test. Pets from all other countries require a titer test. Confirm your country's classification with MOCCAE or the destination agent before travel.

Minimum Age: Pets must be at least 12 weeks old when traveling from low-risk countries, and at least 15 weeks old from high-risk countries.

Cargo Only: All pets must enter the UAE as manifested air cargo. Cabin travel and checked baggage are not permitted (with a limited exception for Etihad Airways in Abu Dhabi only). Approved entry airports are Dubai (DXB), Abu Dhabi (AUH), and Sharjah (SHJ).

Quantity Limit: Personal import is limited to a maximum of two pets (two dogs, two cats, or one of each) per individual per year. Residents re-entering with their resident pets are exempt from this limit provided the pets are microchipped and meet health requirements.

Municipal Registration: All dogs and cats must be registered with the local municipality within 30 days of arrival.

Returning Resident Pets: Pets that were vaccinated before leaving the UAE and whose vaccination remains valid on return are exempt from titer testing. They must be accompanied by a copy of the MOCCAE-issued veterinary health certificate from when they exited the UAE.

Banned Dog Breeds: The following breeds and their crosses are prohibited from import into the UAE:

• Pit Bull-type breeds: American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Bully
• Mastiff-type breeds: Brazilian Mastiff (Fila Brasileiro), Argentinian Mastiff (Dogo Argentino), Tibetan Mastiff, Neapolitan Mastiff, French Mastiff (Dogue de Bordeaux), Boerboel, Bullmastiff, Cane Corso, Bully Kutta/Alangu Mastiff, Perro de Presa Canario
• Japanese Tosa
• Wolf hybrids

Public Behavior: All dogs must be leashed and muzzled in public places.

CITES: Import of wildlife species and products thereof requires CITES permits. [CITES]

Transit: Pets transiting the UAE at the same airport or port without changing airline do not require a transit permit, but must remain isolated from other animals. Pets transiting as a consignment (changing airline or exiting the transit zone) require a transit permit from MOCCAE.

Exporting Pets from UAE: Prior to exporting a resident pet, owners must register the pet with the local municipality, obtain a microchip if not already done, and obtain an export permit. A veterinary health certificate from MOCCAE is required.