Exporting to the United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates, with a population of nearly 10 million and 90% composed of foreign nationals, is one of the most important countries in Africa due to its rich underground resources and a trade-oriented economy. With a high foreign population, it is among the countries with the highest percentage of international residents. This country, which transforms its small land area and population in favor of foreign trade, carries significant commercial value with a GDP per capita of $43,000. Our trade with the UAE, which is Turkey's 18th largest trading partner, is developing day by day.

How to Export to the United Arab Emirates?

Companies wishing to export to the United Arab Emirates can find many opportunities in this expanding market for e-export and e-commerce and its active online shopping users. Dubai, one of the largest shopping centers in the world, is the most populous and the second largest emirate in the UAE. With thousands of brands and hundreds of shopping centers, more than 80% of the population consists of foreign nationals. The United Arab Emirates, where many different sectors operate, is positioned as a commercial and cultural hub globally. Ranked 26th in the ease of doing business index, the UAE is an important country in terms of foreign exports.

There are several points that companies wanting to export to the United Arab Emirates should pay attention to. Considering that your target market will consist of citizens from various countries, it is essential to analyze well which products attract the most interest, how users behave on e-commerce sites, the active age distribution, and market analysis, and to familiarize yourself with the country's structure. With the right projects, you can establish the dynamic foreign trade system you desire in the United Arab Emirates and grow your business.

What Companies Export to the United Arab Emirates?

There is an active consumer market in the United Arab Emirates. In a country where e-commerce is growing increasingly, there are more than 7 million smartphones and 92% online shopping users. There are a few points that companies wanting to export in e-commerce should know. When it is known which sites users purchase the most from and what determines their product choices, it will be much easier to gain a good position in the target market. The most commonly used e-commerce sites in the United Arab Emirates are Dubizzle, Souq, Aliexpress, Awok, Groupon, Cabone, Supermart, and Amazon. By understanding the algorithms of these sites and correctly creating the product display system, it will push you ahead, regardless of what you are selling.

As ODS Consulting Group, we help you solidify your position in the market and expand globally with our experience in this field and the success we have achieved working with hundreds of companies.

What Documents Are Required to Export to the United Arab Emirates?

● You need to document your company's presence in Turkey and the United Arab Emirates. Besides this, you must have a membership to an e-commerce site or own an e-commerce site to sell your products.
● To carry out micro-export, which is one of the easiest methods of export, you will need certain customs documents. With the Electronic Trade Customs Declaration (ETGB), you can send your products to the UAE.
● You must prepare your commercial invoices. This invoice, which includes the details and sales information of your products, should be presented to the relevant authorities.
● If requested, a certificate of origin for your product should be prepared. This document proves that the place where your product is approved and organized belongs to the country of export.
● The United Arab Emirates requires a health certificate.
● A bill of lading (transport document), which is of great importance in logistics, must be prepared. This document serves as a contract covering the process and operations from the loading point of the goods to the country they are going to.
● A packing list must be prepared.
● If the exported product is a food item, documents such as halal certification and health certificates may be required for the product. Additionally, import permits, packing lists, and trade licenses are among the required documents.
● In food exports, details in Arabic must appear on the packaging.

What Are the Export Taxes for the United Arab Emirates?

The UAE has a Double Taxation Prevention Agreement with Turkey. Moreover, according to agreements between Turkey and the Gulf Cooperation Council, Turkey will be exempted from customs duties of the United Arab Emirates. Exporting firms have their eyes on this agreement.

Since 2003, the Common Customs Regime of the Gulf Cooperation Council has been in effect in the United Arab Emirates. As a result, a customs tax of 5% is applied to imported goods. The rates vary, with 100% for tobacco products and energy drinks, and 50% for alcohol and carbonated soft drinks. All taxes on products fall under WTO provisions.

What Products Are Exported to the United Arab Emirates?

In the United Arab Emirates, all regulations occur within the decisions and practices taken in the management system created by the emirates. Export companies need to closely follow these regulations, which also include foreign trade rules.

The main exported products include jewelry, furniture, iron and steel, and food. In recent years, especially in the first half of 2021, the rising exports demonstrate the development of e-commerce. The products exported from Turkey to the United Arab Emirates and their relevant figures are as follows:
● Jewelry and parts made of precious metals (or metals coated with precious metals) = 1,093,604 (Change from the previous year +26%)
● Gold (including gold-plated) (raw or semi-processed or in powder form) = 440,685 (-31.4%)
● Oils obtained from petroleum oils and bituminous minerals = 117,079 (-9.4%)
● Woven carpets and other floor coverings made of suitable materials for weaving = 63,457 (-12.2%)
● Diamonds (whether cut or not, but not mounted or set) = 46,400 (+105.1%)
● Other furniture and their parts = 41,528 (+7.2%)
● Worked stones suitable for carving or construction (except limestone), stone cubes for mosaic, granules = 39,256 (-26.2%)
● Insulated wires, cables, and other electrical conductors; fiber optic cables made of individually coated fibers = 38,804 (+13.4%)
● Oils and other products obtained from the distillation of coal tar at high temperatures = 38,038
● Profiles made of iron or non-alloy steel = 32,648 (+10.9%)
● Other food preparations containing chocolate and cocoa = 31,727 (+1.2%)
● Electrical control and distribution panels, boards, consoles, cabinets, other supports, and numerical control devices = 31,137 (+49%)
● Equipment for electrical circuits not exceeding 1000 volts (switches, relays, fuses, plugs, boxes, etc.) = 29,690 (+75%)
● Cigars, cigarillos, and cigarettes made from tobacco/substitutes = 29,329 (+63.3%)
● Furniture for sitting and their parts = 26,938 (+31.3%)

(Data obtained from the Ministry of Trade in 2020, values are based on x1000USD.)

How Is the Trade Volume Between Turkey and the United Arab Emirates?

The trade volume, which reached record levels in 2017, is expected to increase further. Despite the decline in the trade volume between Turkey and the UAE during the pandemic, it is targeted to exceed 15 billion in the upcoming periods. The United Arab Emirates, which has signed more than 10 commercial agreements with Turkey, is seen to be advancing in developing its foreign trade in our country.

As of 2021, the trade volume between Turkey and the United Arab Emirates has reached 5.5 billion dollars. Turkey, which sells 980 of the 1,275 types of products received by the United Arab Emirates, seems to further increase these figures.