China sourcing agent for UAE buyers
We help UAE importers, traders and retailers buy from Chinese factories: finding suppliers, checking them, inspecting goods and shipping them to Jebel Ali or Khalifa Port. Sea freight from China to Dubai usually takes about 15 to 25 days. Most goods pay 5% customs duty plus 5% VAT, and goods kept in a free zone can defer duty until they enter the mainland.
3 min readUpdated
At a glance
- Sea freight from China to Jebel Ali usually takes about 15 to 25 days, port to port.
- Most goods pay 5% customs duty on the CIF value, plus 5% VAT.
- Goods held in a free zone such as JAFZA don't pay duty until they enter the UAE mainland.
- Regulated products, such as electrical goods and toys, need UAE conformity approval.
Who we work with in the UAE
The UAE is one of China's biggest trading partners in the region, and Dubai is a re-export hub for the Gulf, Africa and South Asia. Our UAE clients include general traders, e-commerce sellers, retailers, contractors fitting out hotels and offices, and companies re-exporting to neighbouring markets.
Many already buy from China. What they want is fewer surprises: suppliers checked before the deposit, goods inspected before the balance, and shipping that arrives on time.
Shipping from China to the UAE
| Route | Typical transit |
|---|---|
| Sea freight to Jebel Ali (Dubai) | About 15 to 25 days |
| Sea freight to Khalifa Port (Abu Dhabi) | About 16 to 26 days |
| Air freight to Dubai or Abu Dhabi | About 3 to 6 days |
For mixed orders from several Chinese suppliers, it usually pays to consolidate everything into one container. Our CBM calculator shows whether a 20-foot or 40-foot container fits your order.
Customs duty and VAT
The UAE applies the GCC common customs tariff. For most goods that means 5% customs duty on the CIF value (the cost of the goods, insurance and freight). Some goods, such as tobacco and alcohol, carry much higher rates, and a few are exempt.
VAT at 5% is then charged on the CIF value plus duty. VAT-registered businesses can usually reclaim it. You can estimate the total with our landed cost calculator.
To import commercially, your company must be registered with customs. In Dubai, that means a customs client code from Dubai Customs.
Not sure what you need?
Tell us about your product and we'll get back to you within 24 hours.
Free zones
Goods shipped into a free zone, such as the Jebel Ali Free Zone, don't pay customs duty while they stay there. Duty is paid only when they move into the UAE mainland. Goods re-exported from the free zone to another country usually don't pay UAE duty at all. If you re-export from Dubai, it's worth asking your customs broker which set-up suits you.
Product approvals
Regulated products need to show they meet UAE standards before they can be sold. These include electrical and electronic goods, toys, some building materials and products that touch food. The usual route is a certificate of conformity under the Emirates Conformity Assessment Scheme (ECAS), based on test reports from an accredited laboratory.
Ask your supplier for existing test reports early. We check the goods against them in the pre-shipment inspection, so what ships matches what was tested.
Documents for importing into the UAE
- Commercial invoice and packing list, matching the goods exactly.
- Bill of lading or air waybill.
- Certificate of origin. Many UAE importers ask for one attested by the Chinese chamber of commerce.
- Conformity certificates for regulated products.
How we help UAE buyers
- 1We find factories that make your product and check them against China's business registry.
- 2We collect samples, check them and send them to Dubai together.
- 3We follow production in Chinese and inspect the goods before you pay the balance.
- 4We arrange freight to Jebel Ali, Khalifa Port or your free zone with partner forwarders.
If you'd like to visit suppliers yourself, we also plan business trips to China and the Canton Fair, which is a popular trip for buyers from the Gulf.
Common questions
How long does shipping from China to Dubai take?
By sea, usually about 15 to 25 days to Jebel Ali, port to port. By air, about 3 to 6 days.
What is the import duty from China to the UAE?
For most goods it's 5% of the CIF value, plus 5% VAT. Some goods carry higher rates, so check your product's tariff code with your broker.
Can you ship to a free zone?
Yes. Partner forwarders can deliver to free zones such as JAFZA, where duty is deferred until goods enter the mainland.