(Credit - Dubai Customs)
Dubai Customs E-commerce Exemption: What Shoppers and Sellers Need to Know
Under amendments announced by Dubai Customs, cross-border e-commerce goods valued at up to AED 1,000 are exempt from customs duty. The changes took effect on 3 August 2026, and companies that want to benefit were told to bring their operations into line. The aim is to lower costs and speed up trade for online sellers and shoppers.
The rule at a glance
| Item | Rule |
|---|---|
| Value threshold | Goods worth AED 1,000 or less are exempt from customs duty |
| Excluded goods | Tobacco and tobacco products; e-smoking devices and accessories; nicotine liquids; alcoholic beverages and food preparations containing alcohol |
| Returned goods | Consumer returns through e-commerce companies are duty-exempt if the duty was already paid and the goods return within 60 days of leaving |
| Company registration | Handled by Dubai Customs’ Client Happiness Management, which adds the company’s activity to its customer registration system |
What it means for shoppers
- For goods shipped through a registered e-commerce company, parcels of AED 1,000 or less should not attract customs duty.
- If you return an item within 60 days and duty had been paid, you should not pay duty again on the return.
- Excluded goods are still dutiable or restricted.
The reports do not say whether VAT still applies to such parcels, so check the final bill at checkout rather than assuming it is waived.
What it means for sellers
- Register your company or add your e-commerce activity with Dubai Customs.
- Declare and value goods correctly. The threshold is based on declared value.
- Keep proof that duty was paid, so returns inside 60 days qualify for the exemption.
- Disputes are handled by Dubai Customs’ legal affairs team.
If you are shopping online from abroad, read our guide on shopping online in Dubai, and watch for fake customs messages, covered in the guide to impersonation scams.
Related: the 24-hour withdrawal rule for counterfeit goods explains what suppliers must do after an official notice.
Related guides
- Dubai Business Licence Cost Calculator: Estimate Your Setup Fees
- UAE Digital Work Permit: How MoHRE's Overseas Hiring Works
- Calculate Dubai Business Licence Costs: DET Online Fee Guide
- iDeclare Dubai: How to Declare Cash and Goods Before You Land
- Selling Counterfeit Goods Online in the UAE: What Dubai Police Warn Sellers
