Guide to Sending Parcels to the United Arab Emirates
In a period of 50 years, the United Arab Emirates has grown from a collection of Bedouin tribes into a country with the world's 7th highest per capita income.
The region's vast oil and gas reserves may be the foundation of the UAE's wealth, but the country is now also a business and finance centre as well as an international transportation and trade hub.
The result is that the UAE's most populous city - Dubai - can boast:
Being the world's 5th most popular tourist destination
Having an airport busier than London's Heathrow
Constructing the world's tallest human-made structure (Burj Khalifa)
Emeriti citizens have also become modern shoppers. They use their smartphones and the internet for easy and convenient e-commerce transactions. And since the lingua franca of the UAE is English, that makes it even easier for Canadians to sell and ship parcels there.
Easily compare the best and cheapest shipping options to the United Arab Emirates through a variety of carriers using Secureship
Secureship provides safe and affordable shipping from Canada to the UAE in case you are an everyday shopper or a business,
you can easily save up to 50% on your international shipping costs by way of accessing our group buying power.
Shipments through Secureship come with full, easy to read tracking information to the United Arab Emirates
Tracking #:780123123123
Tel: 1-800-463-3339
Signed By: Pikwalia @ Residence
Jun 1, 2023
8:49 am
Ajman, AJ, AE
Delivered
May 31, 2023
7:18 am
Sharjah, SH, AE
In transit
May 30, 2023
9:03 pm
Dubai, DU, AE
International Clearance
May 30, 2023
8:14 am
Abu Dhabi, AD, AE
In transit
May 30, 2023
12:17 am
Toronto, ON, CA
In transit
May 29, 2023
4:30 pm
Ottawa, ON, CA
Pickup Scan
Disclaimer!
While we have made every effort to ensure that the information on this page is accurate, Customs laws and procedures change regularly so it is
important to consult a licensed broker in the United Arab Emirates before shipping any goods.
Types of Shipments
Not all types of shipments are created equal. Shipping a television will require different
paperwork, duties, and taxes than shipping an accounting statement, for example.
Here is a list of the most common types of shipments:
There are no exemptions on gifts shipped to the United Arab Emirates. Customs examiners have the discretion to waive duties.
Generally but not always, shipments valued up to 1,000 dirhams (about $330 CAD) are considered to be of low value and will not incur duty charges.
Above this value, a 5% duty will be charged.
Shipments from Individual-to-Individual
A gift shipment of any value to an individual in the UAE from an individual in Canada is subject to duty charges.
Low value shipments - up to 1,000 dirhams (about $330 CAD) - may enter duty-free at the discretion of the Customs examiner.
Shipments from Business-to-Business
There are no exemptions for gift shipments to the UAE from Canada including from business-to-business.
However, at the discretion of the Customs examiner, low value shipments - up to 1,000 dirhams (about $330 CAD) - may enter duty-free.
Shipments from Business-to-Individual
A gift shipment of any value to an individual in the UAE from a business in Canada is subject to duty charges.
Low value shipments - up to 1,000 dirhams (about $330 CAD) - may be considered for duty-free entry at the discretion of the Customs examiner.
Gift Checklist
A commercial invoice must be included with your shipment
The words 'Gift Shipment' or 'Unsolicited Gift' are included on the commercial invoice, even if the shipment is sent at Christmas time
(see sample)
List the items in the parcel and write the value of each
Sending more than one gift in the parcel? Wrap and tag each one individually.
Sample Commercial Invoice for Gifts
Ship To
Invoice
Zayed bin Nahyan Academic City P.O. Box 19282 Dubai United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 4 402 1111
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Personal Shipment / Gift Shipment
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 29 May 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Each
Gift Shipment: LEGO Star Wars Rebel UWing Fighter, 659 piece set
CA
$79.99
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Gifts Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $79.99
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Multiple Gifts in One Shipment
If you are shipping more than one gift in a package, be sure to wrap and tag them individually.
Sample Commercial Invoice for Gifts
Ship To
Invoice
Zayed bin Nahyan Academic City P.O. Box 19282 Dubai United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 4 402 1111
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Unsolicited Gift: Consolidated Gift Package
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 29 May 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Each
Gift - Roger: LEGO Star Wars Rebel UWing Fighter, 659 piece set
CA
$39.99
1 Each
Gift - Erica: Handwoven French Canadian Catalogne Blanket
CA
$49.99
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Gifts Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $89.98
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Personal effects may be shipped to the United Arab Emirates from Canada duty-free. This exemption is available to a UAE citizen living in Canada
as well a Canadian taking upb residence in the UAE for the first time. (Expatriates are to prove they are moving to the UAE for work or
residence for a period of at least 1 year)
Personal effects and household goods are subject to the following conditions:
They are used, and for the use of the person and his/her family only
The quantity of goods is in line with the size of the family, i.e. it cannot be mistaken for a commercial shipment
They have been shipped from Canada, the country of residence
The exemption does not apply to items of a special nature or the cost of shipment
Moving Temporarily
Students
There is no information at this time regarding students moving to the UAE temporarily.
Non-Students
Non-students moving to the UAE temporarily may ship their personal effects from Canada duty-free providing they are living or working there for a minimum of 365 days.
Household goods and personal effects shipped must be used and for the use of the person and his or her family only. The amount of goods is clearly a non-commercial quantity.
Moving Permanently
There is no information at this time regarding shipments of personal effects for those moving permanently to the UAE.
Personal Effects Checklist
A commercial invoice must be included with your shipment
Commercial invoice must clearly indicate 'Personal Effects' (see sample)
A detailed description of each item is provided
For expatriates, a work or residence visa showing a commitment to stay for a minimum of 1 year
Sample Commercial Invoice for Food, Chocolate, Candies
Ship To
Invoice
Zayed bin Nahyan Academic City P.O. Box 19282 Dubai United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 4 402 1111
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Food Shipment - Assorted chocolate bars in their original manufacturer's packaging
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 29 May 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Box
Nestle Chocolate Bars in original packaging expiring May 2021 (shelf life of 6 months or longer)
CA
$20.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Permanent / Sold Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $20.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Samples
Commercial samples are sent abroad to promote products and elicit sales.
Commercial samples may be shipped to the United Arab Emirates from Canada exempt from duty and taxes.
Samples may remain in the UAE for a maximum period of 6 months. This may be renewed but is not to exceed 365 days in total.
Samples destined for exhibitions must follow the guidelines below:
The amount of samples must be appropriate for the size of the exhibition
The samples conform to the type and quality expected for the exhibition
Samples of different products are clearly identifiable
Commercial Sample Checklist
A Commercial Invoice must be included with your shipment
Clearly indicate 'Commercial Samples' on the commercial invoice in the General Description & Detailed Description of Goods (see sample)
The item shipped has tearing, perforation, slashing, defacing, or has permanent marking clearing indicating the item as commercial sample
Zayed bin Nahyan Academic City P.O. Box 19282 Dubai United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 4 402 1111
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Commercial Sample - Not for Resale
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 29 May 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Box
Commercial Sample - Advanced reading copy of Dan Brown's novel.
CA
$20.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Commercial Sample Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $20.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Advertising Material
Advertising material in the form of brochures, pamphlets, and other literature may be shipped to the United Arabl Emirates as a document shipment if it weighs 5 kg or less.
Other material intended for exhibitions, meetings, demonstrations, and trade shows may be shipped using an ATA Carnet. (See Temporary Imports for details)
Advertising Material Checklist
Commercial invoice must clearly indicate 'Promotional Material - Not for Resale' (see sample)
A detailed description of each item is provided
A commercial invoice must be included with your shipment
Sample Commercial Invoice for Promotional Material
Ship To
Invoice
Zayed bin Nahyan Academic City P.O. Box 19282 Dubai United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 4 402 1111
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Promotional Material - Not for Resale
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 29 May 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Each
Promotional Material: Not for Resale. Product pamphlets to hand out at trade show.
CA
$163.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Promotional Material Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $163.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Repairs
Equipment shipped to Canada from the United Arab Emirates for repairs will incur customs duty on the cost of the repair.
Items must be returned to the UAE within 1 year of their exportation.
Goods Under Warranty
Items and equipment that are under warranty and were repaired in the UAE will not incur GST when returned to Canada.
Goods No Longer Under Warranty
An item that is no longer under warranty that is sent to the UAE for repair will incur GST when it re-enters Canada.
GST will be applied to any parts used for the repair and on the value of repair work done.
Sending Product for Repair to the UAE
There is no information at this time regarding shipping equipment for repair to the UAE from Canada.
Returning Repaired Product to the UAE
Equipment shipped to Canada for repair from the UAE will incur customs duty on the value of the repair<./p>
The following two conditions apply to the return of the equipment:
The item is to stay no longer than 1 year outside of the U.A.E
The returned equipment must be identifiable against the exported item
Repair Checklist
Commercial invoice must clearly indicate 'REPAIR & RETURN' under the General Description or Remarks, and include the estimated time of return
(see sample)
Include repair contract with shipment
Serial or product number and the cost of repairs should be indicated under the Detailed Description of Goods section
Include the original shipping documents or tracking number from when the item was first exported to the United Arab Emirates or exported to Canada (depending on which case applies)
A commercial invoice must be included with your shipment
Zayed bin Nahyan Academic City P.O. Box 19282 Dubai United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 4 402 1111
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Repair and Return - Watch being sent for repair
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 29 May 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Each
Fossil Watch being sent for repair - Model E5, serial # 789456FG7E2 - Repair Cost $76.00
US
$163.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Warranty Repair Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $163.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Temporary Imports
Goods shipped as temporary imports to the United Arab Emirates may enter the country duty-free.
Goods allowed entry for temporary admission include:
Items required for a manufacturing process
Equipment for theatrical productions
Materials and items for exhibitions and fairs
Commercials samples destined for display at meetings and demonstrations
Goods admitted as a temporary import may stay in the UAE for a period of 6 months. This may be renewed but for no longer than a total of 1 year.
Qualifying for Duty & Tax Free Temporary Import
In order to import your goods duty and tax free into the UAE, you can pick from 1 of the 2 Temporary Import Methods listed below.
Each option has its pros and cons. Regardless, each of the following methods requires you to complete a commercial invoice. More details are shown in the table.
Option #
Temporary Import Method
Risk of paying
1
Commercial Invoice Only (no other documentation is provided)
High - if broker cannot clear goods temporarily
2
Commercial Invoice
+
ATA Carnet
Very Low
1. Complete a Commercial Invoice (CI) only
This is the simplest and quickest option. See example.
NOTE: You should be aware that shipping using this method doesn't guarantee that your items will be imported duty/tax free.
Not all brokers will clear goods as temporary imports (i.e. UPS, FedEx, DHL) nor is it a guarantee that customs won't charge any duties and taxes.
2. Commercial Invoice (CI) + an ATA Carnet
Completing an ATA Carnet is great option for items that frequently travel in and out of the country.
It's also great because once you have an ATA Carnet, it is accepted by 176 countries worldwide making the application process a one-time thing.
In addition to declaring your commercial invoice as a temporary import, you can get an ATA Carnet for the items that are of temporary nature.
NOTE: It is highly recommended to get an ATA Carnet for items that frequently
travel in and out of the country and especially so when it is valued over $2,500 USD
In addition to choosing option 1 or 2, the following conditions must also be met in order to qualify for a duty and VAT free exemption:
The goods arrive and leave in the same condition, i.e. they undergo no repairs nor are they used in manufacturing
Stay no longer than 3 years in UAE
NOTE:
If the above conditions are not followed, duties and taxes will be charged as though the goods have been imported permanently
A shipment must be re-exported in its entirety, i.e. split or partial shipments are not allowed to return to Canada
Your Customs broker can clear goods of a temporary nature (FedEx, UPS, DHL, etc. typically CANNOT clear goods of temporary nature)
Temporary Imports Checklist
Commercial Invoice clearly stating 'Temporary Import'. This must be written in the General Description section and the Detailed Description of Goods.
(see sample)
The goods arrive and leave in the same condition, i.e. they undergo no repairs nor are they used in manufacturing
Stay no longer than the period listed above
Include your ATA Carnet with your shipment (if applicable)
Include the expected return date or the date that it was originally received within the country (whichever applies)
Any above listed items not listed in this checklist
Sample Commercial Invoice for Permanent/Sold Goods
Ship To
Invoice
Zayed bin Nahyan Academic City P.O. Box 19282 Dubai United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 4 402 1111
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Permanent/Sold: Parts and accessories for Canon B78n camera
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 29 May 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
15 Each
Camera Lenses: Canon EF 50mm, Canon EF 85mm & wide-angle lenses.
CA
$132.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Permanent/Sold Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $1980.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Required Documents
Shipping packages internationally requires a lot of documentation. This process alone can be confusing and time-consuming.
So we’ve narrowed down what documents you might need and ranked them based on likeliness of being needed.
Document Type
When?
Details
Shipping Label / Bill of Lading
Always required
This is a label provided by the carrier (UPS, FedEx, DHL, etc.). Always required because the carrier needs to know the parcel's destination.
Commercial Invoice
Required for all non-document shipments
For all non-document shipments, you will require 3 copies of the commercial invoice (to be included with your shipping labels).
These are for customs purposes and need to be included inside a document pouch outside of the box.
When creating a shipment through the Secureship website, the system will help you create this document automatically.
B13a
Required if value exceeds $2,000 per shipment or is a controlled good
A B13a is required if your shipment exceeds $2000 CAD or is a controlled good
and is destined to a country other than the US, Puerto Rico, or the US Virgin Islands
Canada has a preferential trade agreement with the United Arab Emirates. A COO proves that an item has been produced, manufactured or processed in Canada.
When an item with a COO is imported into the United Arab Emirates, it will incur a reduced or zero-rated import duty.
Certificate of Insurance (COI)
Infrequently required
Shows that the shipment has been insured.
Banks may request a certificate of insurance when providing letters of credit for the goods. Otherwise,
it is generally your choice whether to purchase insurance for the shipment.
ATA Carnet
Infrequently required
Used to avoid duties and taxes on shipments of temporary nature.
If you ship goods of temporary nature to and from a country, you can obtain an ATA Carnet to expedite the customs clearance process and
ensure that anything of temporary nature is not charged duties and taxes.
No specific form is required, but generally includes information regarding:
The exporter, importer and transport company
Date of issue
Number of freight invoice
Type and number of packages
Contents of each package
Marks and numbers
Net weight, gross weight and measurements of each package
Prohibited & Restricted Imports
An item that is prohibited may not enter the United Arab Emirates while those deemed restricted may enter but must abide by quantity limits or other rules.
Prohibited Items
Drugs and narcotics (recreational and controlled)
Products with poppy seeds, opium, or betel leaves
Herbal products with tobacco
Counterfeit currency
Copied and pirated material
Artwork and publications (including electronic sources) that are offensive to Islamic values and teachings
Duty and tax on imports to the United Arab Emirates is calculated using the CIF method: Sum of the customs value, insurance, and freight.
CIF Value = Customs Value + Insurance Amount + Freight Costs
By knowing the CIF value of a shipment, you will be able to calculate the duty and taxes owed by the recipient.
Thresholds
The threshold value on shipments to the United Arab Emirates is SR1,000 (about $335 CAD).
This is also known as the de minimis value, and it means that a shipment valued 1,000 Saudi riyadh (about 980 AED) or less will not incur duty or taxes.
Currency
United Emirates Dirham (AED)
Duty Exemption
(De minimis Value)
SR1000 (about $335 CAD)
Duty Calculation Method
CIF
TAX (VAT)*
5%
Tax Exemption
(De minimis Value)
SR1000 (about $335 CAD)
Tax Calculation Method
CIF
Duties on Imports
The duty rate on most imported goods to the United Arab Emirates is a flat 5% with 2 notable exceptions: alcoholic beverages and tobacco products.
The duty on alcoholic beverages varies depending on which Emirate it is imported to, but is around 50%. Tobacco products incur a 100% duty.
Excise Taxes
Certain products incur excise taxes. They can be placed in 2 groups based on the level of excise tax as shown below:
Carbonated drinks and products with sweeteners added (50%).
Tobacco products, energy drinks, and electronic smoking devices plus their liquids and tools (100%).
Candy5%
Chocolate5%
Spirits and Winesvariable*
Tobaccovariable**
Books0%
Documents0%
Video Games & Consoles5%
Computers & Laptops0%
Tablets0%
Mobiles0% - 9%
Cameras5%
Accessories for Electronics0%
Coats5%
Beauty Products & Cosmetics5%
Jewellery5%
Shirts & Pants5%
Home Appliances5%
Toys5%
Sports Equipment5%
*Duty rates vary based on each Emirate. In addition, each Emirate adds a sales tax.
**Duty is calculated based on either the quantity or weight of the product, whichever is higher.
You can purchase
insurance
through Secureship and it is provided by the carrier that will be transporting your shipment.
Each carrier will charge a different amount per $100 of declared insurance. If you indicate that you need insurance for your shipment our system will automatically include the insurance costs for your shipment.
Insurance is great to have in case your package is accidentally lost or damaged by the carrier. But be careful, not everything you ship is insurable. Worse - even if your package contains items that are insurable, if it doesn’t meet the ISTA 3A packaging standard, the insurance purchased through the carrier would not be available to you.
Here are some items that cannot be insured by the carrier:
Personal belongings
Antiques
Artwork
Liquids (including alcohol)
Televisions
Jewellery in excess of $500
Perishable goods
Glass or Ceramic
And many more items
For more information, please see the carrier's terms and conditions.
Shipping to the UAE from Canada can take between 3-5 business days through the fastest carriers available on the Secureship platform.
More economical services, such as Canada Post, can take up to 1-2 months to complete the delivery.
