Importing goods and customs clearance in the Middle East

If you want to ship your goods to the Middle East then you have to get them through customs and formally import them. This article describes a number of important aspects.

Please note that if you need help, there are various parties available to support you.

Shipping your products

If you sell physical products, you need to get them delivered into the Middle East. Depending on the country you are in, this may be a challenge.

First of all you may have to pay import duties or settle VAT. There are certain thresholds for both of these charges, e.g. while importing in the EU you don’t have to pay import duties on any shipment worth less than € 150.

There may also be non-financial bariers, like certifications or approvals to be obtained. Especially for food, cosmetics or medicine this may be the case. Check this in advance, even before you invest in your marketing.

Convince potential distributors

A local consultant can find possible business partners, or you have identified them yourself. But how to convince them to market and sell your products or services?

For this you need an export plan with a clear strategy and sufficient financial details.

Importing goods into the Middle East

The Middle East consists of diverse countries, each with its own customs regulations, but several share common elements due to regional cooperation and international trade agreements. Customs procedures are generally governed by national authorities, but countries like the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, and others align on many regulations due to agreements within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

General Import Process

Customs Declaration
- Goods must be declared at the customs authority in the country of entry. This is usually done electronically via the respective customs systems (e.g., UAE Customs, Saudi Customs).
- Required documents include the commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, and possibly certificates such as a certificate of origin or health certifications for food.
Import Duties and VAT
- Customs Duties: Import duties vary by product but generally range from 5% to 20%. Some goods may be exempt or have reduced rates due to bilateral trade agreements.
- Value-Added Tax (VAT): Most countries in the region apply VAT.
  - UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait: VAT is typically 5%.
  - VAT is charged on the value of goods, including CIF (Cost, Insurance, Freight) and customs duties.
Non-Financial Requirements
- Some products require additional certifications, such as compliance with GCC Standardization Organization (GSO) regulations for specific goods (e.g., electronics, cosmetics).
- Certain goods like food, medicine, or chemicals may require approval from relevant authorities like the UAE Ministry of Health or Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA).
Inspection and Clearance
- Customs authorities may inspect goods to verify compliance. This can take anywhere from a few hours to several days depending on the goods and documentation.
Release of Goods
- Once cleared, goods can be transported to their destination within the country or stored in bonded warehouses.

Key Service Providers

DHL Middle East – dhl.com
Kuehne+Nagel Middle East – kuehne-nagel.com
Agility Logistics – agility.com
Aramex – aramex.com
UPS Middle East – ups.com

Importing Small Parcels

For small parcels, major couriers such as DHL, UPS, FedEx, and local postal services handle shipments efficiently. Typical costs for a 2kg parcel:

From the USA: $25–$50 for economy services.
From China: $20–$40 for economy services.

Express shipping options are available at higher rates. Rates depend on the destination and urgency of delivery.

Get funding from banks & investors

Entering a new market is an investment. Finding partners, contracts, translations and marketing costs money and you may need additional working capital.

Only with a good plan with enough financial data you can convince banks and investors to fund you. We help you with the complete business case and documentation.

Frequently asked questions

How to find an importer in the Middle East for your product?

The best way to find an importer in the Middle East is to understand the sales channel for your product, and what parties are involved. Then find the right importers or wholesalers at the beginning of that chain. Before starting to push your product, approach a number of them to ask what they need. This way you can position your product better before you reach out to a broader group.

How to find a web shop for your product in the Middle East?

First check whether your product normally is sold through web shops in the Middle East or that other distribution structures are more common. Then determine the characteristics of your ideal web shop, and find a number of these, or outsource this search. When you approach the first few, you will learn what they find important and who your competitors are.

How to convince an importer in the Middle East to work with you?

As in any country, convincing an importer or wholesaler to put your product in his assortment is difficult. Importers in the Middle East look at the rotation of the product, how easy and often they can sell it, and multiply this with the margin they can make on it. The result should be higher than they earn now from any competing product. Only if you have proper sales data, for example from other countries, they will engage in a discussion with you.