Distributing a product

Evolution of the sector

There are a number of selling methods possible in Emirates and among them direct selling can be pointed out. However this mode remains very less widespread.
The most widespread custom is to market your products through local commercial agent . It is recommended to choose from different distributors or commercial agents in each Emirate. Imports and exports of food products are typically entrusted to companies specialised in this field. This market is dominated by 5 or 6 companies. However, a growing number of food distributors import directly themselves become a distributor and a wholesaler for other more modest establishments. Finally, the companies have the tendency to use the geographical position of Dubai, which is in fact a regional hub, for stocking their goods in this Emirate before re-export to other markets as those of India or Iran. Moreover,the use of franchise has witnesses a significant expansion.

Market shares

Supermarkets concentrate on the largest part of the market in the field of distribution with 49,2% of sales. The market leaders are the Groups Carrefour , Emke. and Spinney to a lesser extent. They are followed by bulk sales which realises 28.3% of the market share. In the third position are the shopping centers with 6%, then fairs and exhibitions with 1.5% finally followed by specialised stores with 0.2%.

Organizations in the retail sector

Website of buyusainfo

We can identify professional tradeshows on your sector.

Market access procedures

International Conventions

Member of World Trade Organisation
Party to the Kyoto protocol
Party to the Washington convention on International trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora
Party to the Basel convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their disposal

International economic cooperation

The Emirates are very open to international trade. The country is part of the Greater Arab Free Trade Area (GAFTA), a pact of the Arab League entered into force in January 2005 which aims to form an Arabic free trade area.

Non tariff barriers

It is prohibited to import foods exposed to radiation and import of alcohol and pork is strictly restricted to fixed quotas. It should also be known that any beef or poultry based product should be accompanied by a Health certificate from the country of origin.
The UAE is part of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). In 1981, GCC had established an agreement (Unified Economic Agreement) according to which all farm, animal, industrial products or natural resources of the member States should be exempt from customs duties or any other tax when they conduct intra-GCC trade. GCC is presently in talks with the European Union, Japan and USA for future free-trade agreements.

Customs duties and taxes on imports

Since the adoption of a common tariff for the GCC countries, the customs duty is 5% of the CIF value of the product.

Customs classification

Since 2003 and the setting-up of the free trade area between the GCC countries, the system has been harmonised.

Import procedures

You must furnish:

- Delivery order from a shipping agent addressed to a licensed company by licensing agencies in UAE;
- Original bill of lading (for seaports);
- Original invoice from the exporter addressed to a licensed importer in the country detailing total quantity, goods description and total value for each item (3 exemplaries); *
- Copy of the trade license of buyer and seller;
- Certificate of origin approved by the chamber of commerce at the country of origin detailing the origin of goods; *
- Transport certificate; *
- The Customs entry declaration;
- A form or letter of exemption from customs duties in case the exemption requirements are fulfilled including Local Purchase Order (LPO);
- 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; *
- Health or Phytosanitary certificate or an export certificate for the processed products attested by the concerned national department office, confirming that the product is fit for human consumption
- A halal certificate for the meat ingredients; *
- A non-radiation certificate for some products (optional for European products); *
- Transport documents that are required for import clearance.

Documents with a * must be attested by the Embassy of United Arab Emitats and the Chamber of Commerce in the country of origin of products.

Importing samples

No specific rules.

For further information

Website of Emirates Federal Customs Authority
Federation of UAE Chambers of Commerce and Industry

We can indicate you which are the customs duties applied to your product.

Find out the local taxes that apply to your product.

Organizing goods transport

Main useful means of transport

Maritime transport remains the principal means to goods transport. There are 15 ports in Emirates which experience an average traffic of 3 billion containers in a year. The port Jebel El Ali is one of the largest artificial ports in the world.
The air or surface transport freight remains less important than the maritime transport. According to them, rail transport is non-existant.

Ports

Dubai Port Authority
Port Zayed of Abu Dhabi
Sharjah Port Authority

Airports

Portal of airports in the UAE.

Sea transport organizations

National Transport Authority

Air transport organizations

General Civil Aviation Authority

Road transport organizations

National Transport Authority

Rail transport organizations

Get a ballpark figure for transportation costs for your product in this country through a shipping estimate.

Identifying a supplier

Type of production

Industrial production has witnessed an unprecedented growth in Emirates by contributing today 14% of the GDP.
In Abu Dhabi the dominant industries are petroleum and petrochemicals, gas processing, desalinisation of sea water and electricity production. In Dubai and Sharjah, the industrial production is more diversified. Petrochemical and chemicals, metallurgy (aluminium), agro products, paper and textile industries are found. Ras el Khaimah has cement plant, marble works and a pharmaceutical plant. The small scale industry has developed.

Business directories

Directory organised by Emirates and sector.

Manufacturers associations of the main industries

Trade Agencies and their representations abroad

Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Chamber of Commerce of Dubai
Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the United Arab Emirates
Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Sharjah

Enterprises federation

Dubai Commodities Center. Association of companies working in jewellery sector.
Directory of Associations of foreign companies in partnership with the local companies in the field of trade.

Standards

National standards organizations

Website of the Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Metrology (ESMA).

Integration in the international standards network

Emirates have integrated in the international standardisation system since'ESMA becoming member of the Organisation ISO and the International Communication Union. Moreover, regionally there is an attempt for harmonisation of the requirements related to standards in the framework of the Customs Union between member countries of the Gulf Council.

Classification of standards

UAE + S+ GSO and after either a digit code corresponding to the area or a letter code and figures then the year. Internally, the code is composed of 2 digits corresponding to the product section, then a number composed of 2 to 3 digits based on the degree of detail.

Online consultation of standards

The norms and standards are available on the website 'ESMA. This is a paid service and technical guides should be ordered.

Certification organizations

ESMA

Find out the standards and labelling requirements that apply to your products.

Intellectual Property

National organizations

Consult the Directorate of Industrial Property of the Ministry of Economy and Commerce. In 1992, Emirates has passed three laws for intellecual protection : one law on copyrights, another on trademarks and the last one on patents. It has been envisaged to provide them with a legal framework in conformity with the requirements of the TRIPS (Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights) agreements within three years.

Regional organizations

None

International membership

Member of the WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization)
Signatory to the Paris Convention for the Protection of Intellectual Property