Import Export Process

Import is the process of bringing items from one country into another country in a way satisfying the legal requirements of the getting nation. A company that is licensed to get these goods in the country is referred to as an Importer. For importing goods into Dubai, an Importer should have a valid Trade License issued from any of the License Issuing Authority in U.A.E. and must be registered with Dubai Customs. The Importer has the choice to perform import procedures online on Dubai Trade or manually through Ports & & Customs Documentation Centers.

The procedure discussed listed below explains the paperless import procedure through Dubai Trade. To gain access to Dubai Trade portal electronic services the client must register himself with Dubai Trade. The registration process is available online on Dubai Trade Website (www.dubaitrade.ae). The Import process can be summed up according to following:

1. To initiate the Import process in Dubai, the importer should acquire following documents in initial from the exporter: o Original Expense of Lading copies Commercial Invoice Packing List Certificate of Origin The above files are needed irrespective of the sales arrangement and payment approach concurred between the importer and exporter.

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2. Based on the vessel arrival date, the importer must then approach the shipping representative to submit the original Bill of Lading and settle any dues with the Shipping representative. In return, the shipping agent need to release a Delivery Order to the importer. A Shipping agent might provide Shipment Order 3-4 days before vessel arrival.

The Importer needs to make sure that all freight clearance rules (action 3 to 8) are completed prior to the Shipment Order expiration date. Post expiry of the Delivery Order, DP World will not launch freight to the importer. In such cases the Delivery order requires to be extended by the agent and the Shipping representative might charge an additional cost for providing the extension.

3. The importer can then login to Dubai Trade to create and submit the Import Declaration application for Dubai Customs clearance. The importer can make payment for customs duties and other fees online using the CDR account or E-payment using credit card or direct debit. In case of restricted goods or duty exempted cargo, the importer must arrange for necessary permits from the designated Permit Issuing Authority before filling the Customs Import Declaration.

For import of goods from outside the country into Dubai following documents are required: Commercial invoice from the exporter addressed to the importer detailing total quantity, goods description and total value for each item Original certificate of origin approved by the chamber of commerce at the country of origin detailing the origin of goods. Detailed packing list as per weight, method of packing and HS code for each individual article contained in the shipment. Import permit from the competent agencies in the event of importing restricted goods or duty exempted goods.

4. Dubai Customs will verify and evaluate the information provided for the purpose of payment of customs duties and import approval. Dubai Customs may mandate examination, checking and inspection of the goods by a competent authority before release of cargo to the importer

5. At the time of Import Declaration application submission, if the mode of payment selected is CDR account, then the importer can print the Customs Import Declaration immediately after approval. In case the mode selected is e-payment, then the importer must use the E-Payment service to make payment for customs duties and fees using a valid credit card or direct debit account. On successful payment completion the importer can print the Customs Import Declaration.

6. The Importer can settle DP World dues any time after receiving the Delivery order from the Shipping agent. The importer must use the DP World Payment e-service on Dubai Trade portal to make payment to DP World using the Advanced Deposit account or e-payment gateway. The e-payment gateway allows importers to make payments using credit card, e-dirham card or direct debit.

7. The importer can check the vessel arrival using the Vessel Enquiry e-service and container discharge status using the Container Enquiry e-service.

8. Once the container is discharged, the importer can then nominate a transport company to take delivery of the cargo/ container from DP World on importer·s behalf using the Haul ier Nomination service on Dubai Trade.

9. The importer can also generate an e-token through Dubai Trade portal. e-Token system manages the flow of trucks entering and exiting the Jebel Ali Port. e-Token number is a unique identifier generated by Dubai Trade portal when a user selects a designated day and time slot to pick or drop containers from Jebel Ali Port using a registered truck. The importer must provide this e-token number to his nominated haulier. The haulier can then enter Jebel Ali port by quoting the e-Token number or presenting the e-Token slip to the security at the Jebel Ali port gates. DP World will deliver the containers to the nominated haulier as advised on e-Token. The haulier will be provided an Equipment Interchange Receipt (EIR) by DP World for each container taken out from the Jebel Ali port.

10. If inspection is required as per the Customs Import Declaration, the haulier must take the cargo/ container to the inspection area of the competent authority. Post inspection clearance, the haulier can exit the Jebel Ali Free Zone by presenting a copy of the EIR to the security staff at the Free Zone gates.

Export is the process of carrying or sending goods and services produced domestically to another country for the purpose of selling and realizing foreign exchange. An organization that manufactures and sells these goods and services abroad is referred to as an Exporter. For exporting goods and services, an Exporter should have a valid Trade License issued from any of the License Issuing Authority in U.A.E. and should be registered with Dubai Customs. The Exporter has the option to carry out export procedures online on Dubai Trade or manually through Ports & Customs Documentation Centers. The procedure mentioned below describes the paperless export process through Dubai Trade.

To access Dubai Trade portal electronic services the customer must register himself with Dubai Trade. The registration process to obtain Customer Code is available online on Dubai Trade Portal (www.dubaitrade.ae). The Export process can be summed up as per following:

1. On obtaining order for sale of goods, an Exporter first enters into an agreement with Shipping Agents to carry his cargo from Dubai to the Port of Destination and makes an export booking with the Shipping Agent.

2. The Shipping Agent in turn requests DP World to release Empty Container to the Exporter for the purpose of Export. This Service (Export Booking) is done electronically through Dubai Trade Portal where the Shipping Agent provides details of Container (size; type etc.); Outbound Vessel details and identifies the Exporter.

3. The Exporter or his representative is than required to nominate the Hauler online. This nomination will be valid for both picking up the Empty Container from DP World and delivering back the Export Container. The Exporters can also nominate a Preferred Hauler where by any Booking done in favour of the Exporter by Shipping Agents is directly nominated to the Preferred Hauler.

In case, Exporter wishes to use his own trucks then he can directly create an Electronic Token on Dubai Trade. This service (E-Token) allows Exporters to book an appointment with DP World to pick up the Empty container.

4. The nominated Hauler than accesses Dubai Trade Portal and generates an e-Token for picking up the Empty Container from DP World. The Hauler is further required to provide his Truck details and select the time of his arrival to DP World Port from the available time-slot. The e-Token is designed to facilitate seamless movements of Container from & to the Port.

5. DP World ensures all compliances and loads the Empty Container on the Hauler·s Truck who in turn delivers the Container to Exporter·s Warehouse.

6. The Exporter arranges for stuffing the cargo meant for export in the Container and informs the Hauler .

7. The Hauler generates an e-Token, this time for Export Container and accordingly picks up the Container from Exporters Warehouse and delivers the same to DP World. 8. DP World ensures all compliances and off-loads the Export Container in the designated area for loading on the subject Vessel.

9. In parallel, Exporter submits an Export Declaration online detailing the cargo information including invoice information. Dubai Customs verifies the information and on meeting of all requirements approves the Export Declaration.

10. The Exporter completes the inspection formalities if required (conditioned to cargo type).

11. The Exporter lastly goes online and pays DP World charges pertaining to Export of Container.

12. In parallel, an Exporter approaches Chamber of Commerce to obtain Certificate of Origin that has to be sent to the Importer. Furthermore, an Exporter is required to obtain additional permits conditioned to type of goods.

13. DP World ensures various compliances including passing of Export Declaration; availability of Container before the cut-off time; etc. before finally loading the Export Containers on to the Vessel. Any failures results in Shut Out and the Shipping Agents are duly informed. Shipping Agents are provided with several online services to monitor on the various compliances.

14. The Shipping Agent issues Bill of Lading to the Exporter, generally after vessel sailing, which is the Contract of Carriage and contains details of cargo. The Exporter has to send the original Bill of Lading along with Invoice; Packing List; Certificate of Origin etc. to the Importer to enable him/her to clear documentation with the Customs of Importing Country.

Import

Import Definitions Import: Declaration is processed in the event of goods being imported to the local market from other countries against the payment of Customs duty or duty exempted whichever is applicable. Import for Re-Export: Such declaration is processed in the event of importation of goods into the country for the purpose of re-exportation, where customs duties shall be paid in the form of a deposit that will be refunded upon presenting a proof of re-exporting the same to non-GCC state or states.

Temporary Admission: This type of declaration is processed only when goods are imported from outside the country for use in exhibitions, seasonal markets and similar events or in construction projects and scientific researches and has to be returned in the same condition at which they have been imported. A letter showing the purpose of entry, period, total quantity, description and detailed value of each individual item shall be required from the licensed company. Payable customs tariff for such goods shall be collected (excluding tyres, spare parts and batteries) in the form of cash deposit or a bank guarantee to be refunded to the company upon re-exporting the goods outside the country or taken into free zones or customs warehouses or after paying the payable customs duties as per regulations.

General Provisions

1. The importer must have obtained a valid importer code from Customs.

2. Goods must be in conformity with the activity of the licensed company.

3. Special Cases: Restricted Goods: Import permission from the competent authority shall be required. The authority varies depending on the type of the goods.

Incomplete Arrival of Goods: Import goods declaration and the customs declaration as well as the Port conformity report shall be required

Goods imported by Industrial Licencees: e-exemption request approved by the Ministry of Finance and Industry with a copy of a valid industrial production license shall be required.

Imports for Non-dutiable Authorities and Organizations: Customs duties exemption request bearing the appropriate stamp or a letter from the exempting or supervising agency shall be required.

Diplomatic Goods:

A diplomatic exemption from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, either from customs duties or inspection or both shall be required.

Used Personal Effects: A copy of the passport bearing the residence stamp as well as the inspection report shall be required.

Exhibitions Goods: A letter from the exhibitions organizing agency including a deposit shall be required. 4. If the declarant fails to submit the original certificate of origin or invoices, a deposit amounting to AED 500 for each document or altogether shall be paid which will be refunded upon presenting the original documents, but within 60 days from the bill date otherwise the deposit will be forfeited.

5. Where the HS Code cannot be determined within the transaction, the declarant shall be referred to the tariff officer who shall determine the proper HS Code in accordance with goods description against a payment of AED 25 for each code. 6. In the event of any dispute arising out from classification, the declarant shall submit a written objection to the Tariff department. If such dispute continues after the tariff department opinion is issued, the matter shall be referred to the Classification Disputes Settlement Committee (here the goods shall be released against a cash deposit or bank guarantee equivalent to the higher proposed duty rate). 7. In the event of any dispute arising out from customs valuation, the declarant shall be referred to the Customs Valuation Department. 8. The goods may be subject to inspection prior to their final release.

Import of Goods

The declarant shall: 1. Present the customs representative card upon reporting to customs offices. 2. Submit the documents required. 3. Pay the customs duties accrued to the goods. 4. Collect copies of the declaration (declarant copy, entry point copy and claims copy). 5. Take over the goods after completing all procedures with the competent agencies (DPA and DNATA) including Emirates Airline. In an online environment, the client or his agent process the bill including the payment of duty at his desk and submit the documents at Customs within 48 hrs. In this circumstance, there is no manual steps like above. Sea Transportation a. Any goods imported into the country by sea shall be registered in the manifest. b. A single manifest for
the whole load signed by the shipmaster shall be made which shall contain the following information: 1. Name and nationality of the ship and its registered load.

2. Types of the goods, total weight thereof and weight of the bulk goods, if any. If goods are prohibited, their actual description shall be mentioned.

3. Number of packages and pieces, description of packing, marks and numbers thereof.

4. Names of the consignor and consignee.

5. The seaports where the goods are shipped from (ports of loading). c. When the ship enters the customs zones, the shipmaster shall produce the original manifest to the competent authorities. d. When the ships enters the harbor, the shipmaster shall submit to the customs office the following:

1. The cargo manifest.

2. The manifest of the ships supplies (logistics) and the crews baggage and belongings.

3. A list of the passengers names.

4. A list of the goods to be unloaded at this port.

5. All the shipping documents which the customs office may require for application of the customs laws.

Documents Required:

1. Import goods declaration.

2. Delivery order.

3. Original bill of lading.

4. Original authenticated invoice.

5. Original approved certificate of origin.

6. Packing list with HS codes.

Air Transportation 1. Import goods declaration. 2. Delivery order. 3. Original bill of lading.

4. Original or copy of the invoice. 5. Original or copy of the certificate of origin. 6. Packing list with HS codes (not required for personal effects).

Land Transportation

1. Import goods declaration.

2. Original manifest.

3. Original bill of lading. 4. Original invoice.

5. Certificate of origin.

6. Packing list with HS codes. Personal Effects No need of any original documents, instead the items will be inspected and if it contain identical items more than one piece, the duty will be imposed. Import of Vehicles (Import of new vehicles are the same as any other goods)