Service
Customs Clearance UAE and Saudi Arabia
UAE Federal Customs Authority and Saudi ZATCA clearance, HS classification, duty calculation, VAT handling, and SASO/ECAS conformity coordination.
What's included
- HS code classification with two-source verification
- Duty and VAT calculation against the CIF value
- Submission to Dubai Trade, FCA Mirsal 2, or ZATCA Fasah
- Conformity coordination: ECAS (UAE), EQM (Dubai Municipality), SASO/SABER (KSA)
- Certificate of origin verification and legalisation if required
- Restricted-item permits (drugs, food, telecom, cosmetics) where eligible
- Port handling, demurrage monitoring, and release
How it works
- You send commercial invoice, packing list, B/L or AWB, and origin certificate.
- We verify HS codes and pre-calculate duty plus VAT within
4 hours. - For restricted items, we confirm conformity status before vessel arrival.
- On arrival, we file the import declaration and pay duty on your account or ours.
- Customs releases; we coordinate port pickup and last-mile trucking.
- You receive a clean customs declaration and tax invoice for your VAT records.
Pricing
| Item | UAE | KSA |
|---|---|---|
| Customs clearance fee | $95-150 | $150-220 |
| Common GCC duty | 5% of CIF | 5% of CIF |
| VAT | 5% | 15% |
| SASO/SABER conformity | n/a | $80-180 per HS |
| ECAS / EQM (UAE) | $120-250 | n/a |
| Container exam (if customs requests) | $120-300 | $150-350 |
What you get
- Customs declaration in your importer name (or ours under our IOR service)
- VAT-compliant tax invoice for your accounting records
- HS classification memo so you can replicate on future shipments
- Duty and VAT pre-calculation before goods land, no surprises
- Demurrage and storage monitoring with daily alerts
When to use this vs. alternatives
Use our clearance when you do not have a registered importer broker, when the cargo crosses GCC borders, or when conformity certificates are needed and you have not registered with SASO or ECAS yourself. If you have a customs broker on retainer in Jebel Ali or Riyadh, you can use them directly with our sea or air service. For a single all-in price including duty and VAT, use DDP service instead.
If you would rather import under your own name, our sister brand DuoEast sets up the UAE company, the licence and the bank account. Same legal entity, one team: the company on one side, the cargo on the other.
Frequently asked questions
What is the import duty in the UAE and Saudi Arabia? +
Most products carry
5% common GCC duty calculated on CIF value. Tobacco is 100%, alcohol is 50% (UAE only, KSA bans alcohol), some steel and chemicals carry anti-dumping duty. Check your specific HS code; we classify on quote.What VAT applies on import? +
UAE VAT on import is
5% of (CIF + duty). KSA VAT is 15% of (CIF + duty). VAT is reverse-charged via your TRN/VAT number, so you do not pay cash at the border if you are registered. Without a VAT number, you pay at the time of clearance.What documents do I need? +
Commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading or AWB, certificate of origin, and the supplier's product datasheet. For some HS codes (food, cosmetics, electronics, kids products) you also need a conformity certificate (ECAS, EQM, SASO) before goods land.
How long does clearance take? +
UAE:
4-24 hours after vessel discharge if all documents are in order, longer for restricted items. KSA via ZATCA Fasah platform: 1-3 days, with SABER conformity check adding up to 2 days if not pre-registered.What products are restricted in KSA? +
Pork, alcohol, religious materials of other faiths, used clothing, drones above
250g without permit, and any product without SABER registration. Some categories (cosmetics, toys, electrical) require SASO conformity before shipping. We pre-check before goods leave China.Can I use ATA Carnet for permanent import? +
No. ATA Carnet covers only temporary admission for trade fairs, samples, and professional equipment intended to leave the country. Permanent import always requires standard customs clearance with duty and VAT.
What is the cost? +
UAE clearance:
$95-150 per shipment plus $45 THC. KSA clearance: $150-220 plus port and handling charges. Inspection or container exam if requested by customs adds $120-300.Ready to ship from China to the UAE or KSA?
Get a same-day quote with rates, transit time, and a clear list of what is included.