How to Import from Turkey to the UAE in 2026: CEPA Duty Savings, Customs, VAT and Shipping

Short answer: to import from Turkey into the UAE you need a UAE trade licence whose activities cover your goods and a customs client code (in Dubai, via the Dubai Trade portal). The standard customs duty is 5% of the CIF value, but Turkish-origin goods can pay less or nothing under the UAE–Türkiye Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), in force since 1 September 2023 — only if you have valid proof of Turkish origin and claim the preferential rate on the customs declaration. VAT is 5%. Invoices of AED 10,000 or more must be attested by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

This guide covers what is specific to the UAE. For the general process — finding and verifying a factory, samples, contracts and payment — read our step-by-step guide to importing from Turkey.

UAE import requirements at a glance

ItemWhat applies to Turkish goods Importer registrationUAE trade licence covering the goods + customs client code (renewed with the licence) Customs duty5% of CIF by default; reduced or 0% for many Turkish-origin goods under CEPA Claiming CEPACEPA certificate of origin or an origin declaration by a Turkish approved exporter; direct shipment; claim made at import VAT5% at import (reverse charge for VAT-registered importers whose tax number is linked to customs) Invoice attestationInvoices of AED 10,000+ attested through MOFA's eDAS system (AED 150 per document) Regulated productsECAS certificate or Emirates Quality Mark from MoIAT (e.g. electrical goods, toys, cosmetics) FoodProduct registration and label approval with the emirate's food authority (Montaji in Dubai), plus consignment release Main portsJebel Ali (Dubai), Khalifa Port (Abu Dhabi) TransitSea roughly 12–14 days from Istanbul/Iskenderun to Jebel Ali; road via Iraq (TIR) about 6–10 days depending on route

Step 1: Licence and customs code

Commercial imports require a UAE trade licence whose listed activities include the goods you are bringing in, and a customs client code from the customs authority of the emirate where you clear. In Dubai the code is issued through Dubai Trade and is renewed each year with the licence.

Mainland or free zone? Goods brought into a free zone such as JAFZA are held with duty and VAT suspended. Duty becomes payable only when the goods enter the UAE mainland; goods re-exported outside the GCC do not pay UAE duty. Many traders who supply Iraq, Africa or other GCC markets use a free zone as a regional warehouse for Turkish goods.

Step 2: Use CEPA to cut your duty

This is the biggest difference between the UAE and other Gulf markets. Under the UAE–Türkiye CEPA, which entered into force on 1 September 2023, tariffs were removed or reduced on the large majority of tariff lines: some went to 0% immediately, others are phased down over several years, and some only receive a partial cut.

To get the CEPA rate:

• Proof of origin: a CEPA certificate of origin, or an origin declaration made by a Turkish approved exporter on the invoice or another commercial document. Ask your supplier before ordering which one they can provide.
• Direct shipment: goods must travel directly from Turkey. A stop in a third country is only acceptable if the goods stay under customs control there.
• Claim it at import: the preferential rate must be requested on the import declaration itself (Abu Dhabi Customs lists exemption code 59 for this agreement). If you do not claim it, you pay the normal 5%.

Check the CEPA rate for your exact HS code with the Ministry of Economy's tools or your broker. The UAE moved to 12-digit tariff codes in 2025, so use the full code.

Step 3: VAT and excise

• VAT: 5% at import, calculated on the CIF value plus duty and any excise. VAT-registered importers who link their tax number to their customs account account for it on their VAT return (reverse charge) instead of paying cash at the border.
• Excise: applies to tobacco, energy drinks and sweetened drinks. Since 1 January 2026, sweetened drinks are taxed per litre according to sugar content instead of a flat 50%. If you import Turkish juices or soft drinks, check the current rate with the Federal Tax Authority.

Step 4: Documents and MOFA attestation

• Commercial invoice
• Packing list
• Bill of lading or air waybill
• Certificate of origin (the CEPA version if you claim the preferential rate)
• ECAS/EQM certificates or food approvals where relevant

Commercial invoices for imports worth AED 10,000 or more must be attested through the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs' eDAS system, for a fee of AED 150 per invoice or certificate. Late attestation can lead to fines and delays, so make it part of your routine for every shipment. See our import documents checklist for details on each document.

Step 5: Conformity certificates and food rules

Regulated products: items on the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) regulated list — for example many electrical and electronic goods, toys and cosmetics — need an ECAS conformity certificate or the Emirates Quality Mark, based on a test report from an accredited laboratory. Ask the Turkish factory early whether it has the required test reports.

Food: food products must be registered and their labels approved with the food authority of the emirate (in Dubai, through Dubai Municipality's Montaji system), and each consignment needs release before it can be sold. Labels are expected in Arabic and English, and meat and animal-derived products require halal certification. Turkish food exporters that already sell to the Gulf usually have these ready — browse Turkish food manufacturers.

Step 6: Shipping routes

• Sea: to Jebel Ali or Khalifa Port via Suez. Carrier schedules show about 12 days from Ambarlı (Istanbul) and about 14 days from Iskenderun to Jebel Ali; disruptions in the Red Sea can add more.
• Road: since Iraq joined the TIR system in 2025, Turkish trucks can run through Iraq. Trucking to Umm Qasr plus a Ro-Ro sailing to Dubai takes about 6 days; fully overland through Iraq, Jordan and Saudi Arabia about 10 days.
• Air: for samples and urgent, high-value goods.

For prices and how to compare freight quotes, see shipping costs from Turkey to Saudi Arabia and the UAE, and find freight forwarders in Istanbul on Dalil Turkey.

The 5 most common mistakes

1. Not claiming CEPA. Paying 5% on a line that is already 0% because there was no valid origin proof or no claim on the declaration.
2. Breaking direct shipment by transshipping through a third country without customs-control evidence, which loses the CEPA rate.
3. Skipping MOFA attestation on invoices of AED 10,000 or more.
4. Shipping regulated goods without ECAS/EQM, or food without registration and an approved label.
5. A licence, customs code or VAT number that doesn't match the goods, or old 8-digit HS codes.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a free trade agreement between Turkey and the UAE?

Yes. The UAE–Türkiye Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) has been in force since 1 September 2023. It removes or reduces duty on most tariff lines for goods of Turkish origin, provided you have proof of origin and claim it at import.

What is the customs duty on Turkish goods in the UAE?

The default is 5% of the CIF value. Under CEPA many Turkish-origin goods pay 0% or a reduced rate. Check your 12-digit HS code with your broker or the Ministry of Economy.

Do I need to attest invoices from Turkey?

Yes, for invoices worth AED 10,000 or more: they must be attested through MOFA's eDAS system, at AED 150 per document.

How long does shipping from Turkey to Dubai take?

About 12–14 days by sea to Jebel Ali, and roughly 6–10 days by road through Iraq depending on the route, plus clearance time.

Find Turkish suppliers for the UAE market

Dalil Turkey lists Turkish manufacturers and exporters with Arabic and English profiles. Compare factories by sector and city on the Turkish B2B marketplace, or post your requirement on the buyer requests board. When you contact a supplier, ask straight away whether they can issue CEPA proof of origin — it can decide your margin.

Last checked: November 2026. Rates and procedures change; confirm with UAE customs, the Ministry of Economy, MOFA or a licensed customs broker before you ship.