Import from United Arab
Emirates to UK
Why import from United Arab Emirates?
Countless
UK businesses import from UAE because of its reputation as one of the
Middle East’s central trade hubs. The total trade in both exports
and imports came to £24.2 billion at the end of 2023, with the UAE
being the UK’s 19th largest trading partner.
Strategic geographic location
Importing
goods into the UK from United Arab Emirates offers strategic
advantages due to its geographical circumstances. The UAE serves as a
crucial gateway between Europe, Asia, and Africa, facilitating
cost-effective logistics for UK businesses.
Over
5,000 UK companies already operate in the UAE, leveraging this
strategic positioning to access broader markets across the Middle
East and beyond.
Economic
diversification
The
UAE has a rapidly diversifying economy.
While
traditionally reliant on oil, the country is investing heavily in
sectors such as renewable energy, finance, tourism, and technology.
Such diversification creates an attractive business environment for
UK exporters.
The
UAE’s commitment to becoming a knowledge-based economy and its
substantial investment in infrastructure projects also presents
opportunities for UK companies, particularly in the fields of
education, healthcare, and advanced technologies.
Favourable business
environment
The
UAE is characterised by transparent regulations and a supportive
government stance towards international trade.
The
country has established numerous free zones, such as the Dubai
International Financial Centre (DIFC)
and the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM),
which provide tax benefits and simplified business procedures.
Our Services
Do
you want to streamline your import process? Freight Broker's
convenient cost comparison service is all about finding you the best
shipping rates. If you plan to import from United Arab Emirates to
UK, take the extra step, and you could save more!
How to import from United Arab
Emirates to UK
Those
importing goods into the UK from United Arab Emirates need to have
the proper legal paperwork in order. Learn more about the import
process and what you need to prepare.
Find the right
commodity code
Businesses
that import from United Arab Emirates will need a commodity code for
their goods.
You
can use these codes to make declarations and calculate the amount of
import VAT and duty. They will, however, be used by customs
authorities to determine the nature of the goods, whether they comply
with safety regulations, and whether they are legal.
Businesses
looking for the appropriate commodity code for their products should
consult the
UK
Government Trade Tariff.Find out your EORI
number
A
business importing goods into the UK from United Arab Emirates must
apply
for an EORI number through the government's online
service; you will receive your EORI number a few days after
submitting your application.
The
Economic Operator Registration Identification Number (EORI) enables
UK customs authorities to identify imported and exported goods.
Check if you need a
licence
To
import from UAE, UK businesses may need a licence for their goods.
Those
looking to bring high-risk foods, veterinary medicines, precursor or
hazardous chemicals into the UK will need to check
UK
government regulations to see if they need a
certificate or licence.
However,
buyers must also be aware of the goods that cannot be exported out of
the United Arab Emirates. Banned items include:
-
Controlled/recreational drugs
-
Counterfeit currency
-
Items used in black magic, witchcraft, or sorcery
-
Publications and artwork that contradict or challenge Islamic
teachings and values,
-
Gambling tools and machines.
Other
items are restricted, like alcoholic drinks, cosmetics and personal
care products and nuclear energy products
Include full details
on invoices and labels
Your
products should be properly labelled with the following information:
-
The sender and recipient of the goods
-
A detailed description of the goods being imported.
-
Total value of goods.
-
The quantity of goods
-
Commodity codes
Shipping Options
The
quantity and value of imported goods will determine your freight
options.
Sea freight import
from United Arab Emirates to UK
Sea
freight is the primary mode of transportation for high-volume goods
weighing more than 100 kilogrammes. Smaller shipments can be imported
in a shared container, while larger shipments may require a full
container.
Sea
freight from UAE may take anywhere from 4-6 weeks to arrive.
Air freight import
from United Arab Emirates to UKGoods
imported by air freight from United Arab Emirates can take 5-7
working days to arrive; this goods option is ideal for smaller
shipments. Items can be delivered directly to your preferred address.
Customs and Duties
Duty
and VAT must be paid when importing goods into the United Kingdom
from United Arab Emirates.
Such
payments are required to have your goods released from customs.
Businesses can hire a goods broker to help them calculate customs and
duties. Alternatively, you can use the
UK
Government Trade Tariff to determine what you owe.
Paying duty
Any
import from United Arab Emirates to the UK will be subject to an
assigned duty rate, with the amount payable varying depending on the
goods imported. To determine how much you owe, use the
UK
Government Trade Tariff online service.
Paying VAT
Businesses
who import from United Arab Emirates to UK must also pay the relevant
VAT charges.
The
current UK rate is 20%, which is based on the shipping costs, customs
duty, and value of the goods. After you or a goods broker pay the
necessary duty and VAT fees, your goods will be released from
customs.
Tips for successful importing from
United Arab Emirates
Establish strong
supplier relationships
Establishing
strong relationships with suppliers is crucial when importing from
the UAE.It’s
essential to ensure suppliers are reliable and provide timely and
responsive customer support.
Evaluating
potential suppliers by requesting samples and inspecting their
products can help verify quality and build trust. Additionally,
conducting regular quality control checks can prevent potential
issues with product quality and delivery timelines.
Navigate regulatory
requirements
To
ensure a successful import from UAE, understanding regulatory
requirements is fundamental.
The
UAE has implemented streamlined electronic processes for import
declarations and customs clearance, such as the Mirsal 2 platform
used in Dubai.
UK
businesses must ensure compliance with all relevant documentation,
including trade invoices, certificates of origin, and detailed
packing lists.
Calculate total
landed costs
Accurately
calculating the total landed costs is essential to ensure
profitability when importing goods from the UAE.
These
will include considering all expenses such as taxes, duty fees,
transportation, and shipping charges.
It’s
also advisable to get quotations based on different Incoterms
(International Commercial Terms), such as EXW (Ex Works), FOB (Free
on Board), and CIF (Cost, Insurance, and Freight).
FAQs
What types of
products can I import from United Arab Emirates to the UK?
The
top 5 goods imported by the UK from United Arab Emirates in 2023
were:
-
Refined oil (making up £1.6 billion or 44.6% of UK imported goods)
-
Mechanical power generators (making up £512.1 million or 14.5%)
-
Jewellery (making up £223.7 million or 6.4%)
-
Telecoms & sound equipment (making up £204.4 million or 5.8%)
-
Miscellaneous metal manufactures (making up £85.9 million or 2.4%)
How long does it take
to import goods from United Arab Emirates to the UK?
The
time it takes to import goods from United Arab Emirates depends on
your chosen shipping option. Sea freight takes around 20-30 days to
arrive, while air freight takes 5-7 working days.
What are the
different shipping options available for importing from United Arab
Emirates?
The
main shipping options for importing goods into the UK from United
Arab Emirates are sea and air freight.
What duties and taxes
will I need to pay when importing from United Arab Emirates?
The
amount of VAT, customs duty, and excise duty you must pay to receive
your items is determined by the goods themselves, the shipping method
you select, and the country of origin.
What are the risks
associated with importing goods from United Arab Emirates?
Regulatory compliance
challengesImporting
goods from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to the UK involves
navigating complex regulatory frameworks.
The
UAE's regulatory landscape can be intricate, with varying standards
and certification requirements depending on the type of goods being
imported.
For
example, food products must meet stringent safety and quality
standards, often necessitating certifications that align with both
UAE and UK regulations.
Non-compliance with these requirements can
lead to delays, fines, or even seizure of goods at customs.Currency fluctuationsCurrency
fluctuations between the UAE dirham (AED) and the British pound (GBP)
pose a significant risk in international trade.
Sudden
changes in exchange rates can affect the profitability of
transactions, increasing costs unpredictably.
The UAE's financial
landscape, while robust, requires careful handling of payment terms
and methods to mitigate risks such as non-payment or delayed
payments.
Do I need to be
registered for VAT when importing from United Arab Emirates?
Businesses
that import goods from United Arab Emirates into the UK must register
with HMRC for VAT. If you are importing items as an individual, you
are not required to register.
How can I get a quote
for shipping costs from United Arab Emirates to the UK?
Our
straightforward tool allows customers to compare the price of
shipping freight internationally.
All you have to do is provide us
with your import and export postcodes, shipping destination, and the
origin of your goods.
Then,
tell us the dimensions of your shipment: length, width, height, and
weight (those comparing pallet shipping costs must also choose from
our pallet size list).
After
you’ve entered all the necessary shipment data, select "compare
prices", and we'll show you the best courier quotes! With
Freight Broker, finding the cheapest deals is a breeze.
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66321862df4c0c63311e4092/united-arab-emirates-trade-and-investment-factsheet-2024-05-03.pdf
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/exporting-to-the-united-arab-emirates/exporting-to-the-united-arab-emirates
https://www.difc.ae/
https://www.adgm.com/
https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/finance-and-investment/clearing-the-customs-and-paying-customs-duty
https://www.dubaicustoms.gov.ae/en/mobile/pages/newsdetails.aspx?itemid=254
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66321862df4c0c63311e4092/united-arab-emirates-trade-and-investment-factsheet-2024-05-03.pdf
