Customs clearance in the UAE
Customs paperwork is where shipments get stuck. We prepare the documents, classify your goods, estimate the duty and clear import and export cargo at UAE ports, airports and borders.
Customs clearance is the process of declaring goods to customs so they can legally enter or leave the country. In the UAE, an importer or exporter (or their clearing agent) submits an electronic declaration with a commercial invoice, packing list, transport document and the correct HS codes, pays any duty and fees, and gets the goods released. Aeron Shipping prepares the documents, checks the classification, estimates the duty and clears cargo at UAE ports and airports.
About the service
Customs delays are almost always paperwork problems: the wrong HS code, a missing document, an undervalued invoice or an unregistered importer. Each can hold cargo at the port and add storage charges.
We check the documents before the cargo arrives, classify the goods, estimate the duty and handle the declaration. We clear imports into the UAE, and exports out of it, and we coordinate clearance at the other end for goods we ship abroad.
UAE customs rules, duty rates and procedures can change, and each emirate has its own customs authority, so we confirm the current requirements for your goods. This page explains how clearance works, what documents are needed and how to avoid delays.
Typical customs jobs we handle.
Your options
Pick the service you need. We handle the rest.
Declaration, classification, duty calculation and release of goods arriving at UAE ports and airports.
Export declaration and paperwork for goods leaving the UAE, including certificates of origin where needed.
We help find the right HS code for your goods, which decides the duty rate and the paperwork.
Some goods may need approvals from other authorities. We tell you early.
Clearance for household goods and personal belongings coming into or leaving the UAE.
For cargo we ship abroad, we coordinate clearance at the destination and estimate duty in advance.
Compare
What each involves.
| Topic | Import | Export |
|---|---|---|
| Main task | Declare goods entering the UAE and pay duty and VAT where due | Declare goods leaving the UAE and show proof of export |
| Key documents | Commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading or airway bill, certificate of origin | Commercial invoice, packing list, export declaration, certificate of origin if needed |
| Who is responsible | The importer of record | The exporter |
| Common problems | Wrong HS code, undervaluation, missing permits | Wrong documents, restricted goods, missing certificates |
Duty rates, thresholds and procedures change. We confirm the current position for your goods before you ship.
How it works
Five steps, one point of contact.
Share the invoice, packing list and transport document, or tell us what you are importing or exporting.
We check the documents, confirm the HS codes and estimate the duty and VAT.
We submit the customs declaration and handle any queries.
Duty and fees are paid and customs releases the goods.
The goods are delivered, or shipped on abroad.
The detail
Customs charges are made up of duty, VAT where it applies and service fees. Duty is calculated on the customs value of the goods using the HS code and origin, and the rates differ by product. Some goods enter at zero or low duty, while others attract higher rates. We estimate the charges before the goods arrive.
Delays usually come from a short list of problems: an HS code that does not match the goods, a commercial invoice without enough detail, a missing certificate or permit, or an importer who is not registered. Checking the paperwork before shipping avoids most of them.
Times vary by port and cargo.
Pricing
We quote our clearance fee separately from the duty and government charges, so you can see which is which.
The same factors apply to every quote.
Paperwork
We prepare the UAE side. Here is what we usually ask you for.
Avoid delays
Most delays come from a short list of avoidable problems.
Coverage
We clear cargo across the UAE.
Why Aeron
The same person looks after your shipment from pickup to delivery, so you never chase several agents.
Collection, packing, export paperwork and loading are all done by us, wherever you are in the UAE.
We check the documents and customs rules before the cargo moves, so there are fewer surprises at the border.
You see what the freight, handling and extras cost. If something changes, we tell you before it is charged.
Track online and get updates on WhatsApp at pickup, departure, customs and delivery.
Six offices across the UAE and the UK mean there is someone local to call, wherever you are shipping from.
FAQs
Something we have not covered? Ask us on WhatsApp and we will answer in plain language.
Ask a questionIt is the process of declaring goods to customs so they can legally enter or leave a country, paying any duty and fees, and getting them released.
Usually a commercial invoice, a packing list and a bill of lading or airway bill, plus a certificate of origin where it applies and permits for regulated goods. We tell you exactly what your goods need.
The HS code is an internationally used number that classifies goods. It decides the duty rate and which permits apply, so the wrong code can mean the wrong duty or a delay.
Often the same day or within a couple of days if the documents are complete. Inspections, missing documents or permits can take longer.
It depends on the HS code, the origin and the customs value of the goods. We estimate it before the goods arrive.
Yes. We help with the paperwork for personal belongings coming in or going out of the UAE.
We tell you early which approvals are needed and help you prepare the applications, which are decided by the relevant authority.
We coordinate import clearance at the destination and estimate duty in advance. See our country pages for the rules in each destination.
We clear cargo at the main UAE ports, airports and land borders. Tell us where the cargo arrives and we confirm.
AERON CARGO SERVICES LLC is licensed in Abu Dhabi (Trade Licence CN-3659802) and VAT-registered in the UAE (TRN 100515555900003).
Send us the documents or tell us what you are shipping. You will get a clear answer on what is needed.
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