Customs Clearance & Brokerage Services — VELO Logistics Dubai

Navigating customs compliance in the United Arab Emirates requires precision, deep regulatory expertise, and swift execution. VELO Logistics provides comprehensive, licensed customs brokerage services for commercial importers, multinational corporations, and global freight forwarders across all UAE sea ports, international airports, free trade zones, and land border crossings.

Our dedicated customs agents operate directly on the Dubai Customs Mirsal II platform and the Dubai Trade single window, handling complex tariff classification, duty exemptions, ministry permits, and physical cargo inspections to prevent costly border delays and port demurrage.

Comprehensive UAE Customs Brokerage Capabilities

We manage every statutory declaration category defined by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security and Dubai Customs:

• Import for Local Consumption (Mainland Clearance): Assessment and settlement of the standard 5% GCC customs duty and 5% UAE Value Added Tax (VAT) using your Federal Tax Authority (FTA) Tax Registration Number (TRN).
• Import to Free Zone (FZ-In): Seamless duty-exempt customs entry into primary free zones including Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA), Dubai Airport Freezone (DAFZA), Dubai South Logistics City, and KIZAD / KEZAD.
• Free Zone to Local Market (FZ-to-Mainland): Conversion of free zone inventory into mainland commercial circulation, managing duty assessments, trade license verification, and gate-pass issuance.
• Free Zone to Free Zone Transfer: Bonded transfer of cargo between different UAE free zones (e.g., JAFZA to DAFZA) under customs transit deposit guarantees.
• Transit & Transshipment Clearance: Efficient sea-to-air, air-to-sea, and cross-border land transit declarations through UAE territory without local duty liabilities.
• Temporary Admission: Processing cargo imported for international exhibitions, trade fairs, temporary industrial use, or testing and calibration under refundable customs bank guarantees.
• Export & Re-Export Declarations: Generating export documentation, commercial certificates of origin, and GCC statistical declarations (Makasa) for goods shipped outbound.

Specialized Government Ministry Approvals Handled

Many commercial goods entering the UAE require statutory technical approvals before customs release. VELO handles permit applications across all regulatory ministries:

UAE Customs Tariff & Valuation Guide

Understanding duties and taxes is fundamental to supply chain costing:

• Standard GCC Customs Duty: 5% ad-valorem duty applied to the CIF Value (Cost of Goods + Ocean/Air Freight + Insurance).
• Zero-Duty Exemptions: Raw materials and capital machinery imported by licensed UAE manufacturers with industrial exemption certificates, as well as selected pharmaceutical active ingredients and basic food staples.
• Value Added Tax (VAT): 5% standard VAT applied on the (CIF Value + Customs Duty amount). VAT can be deferred to your regular FTA VAT return if your business holds a valid TRN registered with Dubai Customs.
• Excise Tax Commodities: 50% excise tax on sweetened beverages; 100% excise tax on energy drinks, tobacco, and electronic smoking devices.

Mandatory Documentation for UAE Customs Clearance

To ensure zero clearance delays, importers must provide the following documentation prior to vessel or aircraft arrival:

1. Original Commercial Invoice: Addressed to the licensed UAE company, specifying HS Code (Harmonized System 6-to-8 digits), itemized unit values, currency, and Incoterms.
2. Detailed Packing List: Specifying package numbers, individual box weights, packaging types (cartons, pallets, crates), and container seal numbers.
3. Transport Document: Original Bill of Lading (B/L) endorsed, Sea Waybill, or Air Waybill (AWB).
4. Certificate of Origin (COO): Issued by the Chamber of Commerce in the country of origin, legalized or authenticated per UAE customs guidelines.
5. Delivery Order (D/O): Collected from the carrier / shipping line agent upon payment of freight and local port handling charges.
6. Valid UAE Trade License & Customs Client Code: Registered in the Mirsal II system under the consignee's legal trade name.

The VELO 4-Step Rapid Clearance Process

[1. Pre-Arrival Audit]
↓ Verify HS codes, invoices, and COO
[2. Electronic Declaration]
↓ Submit Mirsal II entry 48 hours prior to berthing
[3. Inspection & Release]
↓ Coordinate physical or scanner inspection
[4. Final Inland Haulage]
Dispatch bonded truck to warehouse or facility

• Step 1: Pre-Arrival Document Audit: Our brokers audit all invoices, packing lists, and certificates before cargo arrives to identify any missing ministry permits or classification discrepancies.
• Step 2: Electronic Mirsal II Filing: We file the customs bill 48 to 72 hours in advance of vessel or flight arrival, calculating exact duties and securing pre-clearance approvals.
• Step 3: Port Inspection Management: Our on-site field runners coordinate with Dubai Customs inspectors at Jebel Ali quay, DWC tarmac, or dry ports for swift physical or non-intrusive X-ray inspection.
• Step 4: Immediate Gate-Pass & Inland Delivery: Upon release, we generate the customs exit gate pass and dispatch dedicated road transport to deliver cargo directly to your warehouse.

Why Choose VELO Logistics for Customs Brokerage

• Direct Mirsal II Electronic Interface: Real-time digital processing with Dubai Customs, reducing standard clearance timelines to 2–6 hours for non-restricted cargo.
• Dedicated Port & Airport Field Agents: Experienced customs personnel stationed permanently at Jebel Ali Free Zone, Dubai Cargo Village (DXB), and DWC Logistics City.
• Duty Optimization & Tariff Advice: Advisory on HS code classification, Free Trade Agreement (FTA) origin benefits, and manufacturing industrial exemptions.
• Complete Audit Trail: Complete digital archiving of all customs declarations, payment receipts, and inspection release vouchers accessible on demand for tax audits.

Request Customs Clearance Support

• Submit Inquiries: Get a Free Quote
• Calculate Volume & Containers: Free CBM Calculator
• Customs Brokerage Desk: info@vlo.ae