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A customs broker or a clearing agent is an authorized middleman between commercial entities and the customs authority and assists in ensuring that imported and exported cargo meets the UAE customs guidelines. Since customs clearance is an important aspect that is connected with trade security, duties, and compliance, it is regulated and requires more than just a trade license.
Applying for the UAE customs broker license might require certain other registrations and approval from the relevant authorities depending upon the nature of business operations. This article covers the eligibility requirements, documentation, application process, costs, timeline, and compliance requirements. Companies engaged in regulated sectors should also take into consideration the requirements for Regulated Activity Approval in the UAE.
Businesses active in regulated sectors need to consider the requirements for Regulated Activity Approval in the UAE. Enterslice offers full-cycle assistance with obtaining a customs broker license in the UAE. From company registration in the UAE to tax compliance and audit, we’ve got you covered.
The role of a customs broker or clearing agent is to help firms with customs matters, serving as a representative before customs authorities. According to the Common Customs Law, a customs broker is described as an individual conducting customs-clearance operations for others.
Firms must not confuse the UAE trade license with the customs broker license. The requirement for approvals depends on the emirate and the regulations involved.
Some of the approvals include:
It is essential to have an understanding of all these requirements when applying for a customs broker license in the UAE or for customs broker approval in the UAE.
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Although these roles often collaborate, the main responsibility of the customs clearance agent in the UAE is to ensure customs clearance processes, not the actual transport of goods.
The activities of customs brokers are closely linked to preparing and filing declarations that become the starting point for the calculation of duties, taxes and fees. Correct declarations are important for determining the appropriate costs and carrying out effective transactions.
Customs legislation is aimed at monitoring the movements of cargo to and from the country and ensuring compliance with local laws. Customs control involves:
Since customs brokers are representatives of importers and exporters, they should follow all the requirements of customs legislation. Their responsibility does not end with filing declarations, but also includes following all other requirements for customs procedures. The Common Customs Law has special articles devoted to the issue of customs brokers and authorized representatives, their responsibilities and sanctions.
At the federal level, customs administration is regulated by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP). Through its customs functions, ICP facilitates the establishment of customs policy, customs procedures, regulatory framework, and customs administration within the UAE. It is important to note that customs regulation is administered on both federal and local levels. Businesses applying for customs broker approval in the UAE must bear in mind that customs regulations are subject to the respective administrative structure of each authority.
It is important to note that the registration and approval process in terms of customs regulations can be handled by the customs administration of the respective emirate. This includes:
Each authority will have its own registration process, electronic process, documentation process, and compliance requirements for customs -related activities.
When applying for a customs broker license in the UAE or a customs clearing agent license in the UAE, it should be noted that having a license issued from one emirate does not necessarily mean that it will work as a customs registration in the entire UAE. This depends on which customs authority has jurisdiction over the specific port, airport, free zone or place of business where such business operates. This information about specific requirements plays an important role in the UAE customs broker registration process.
A typical process of obtaining a UAE customs broker license involves the fulfilment of the requirements concerning the commercial licensing and the customs-related registration and approvals. Businesses should consider their qualifications from the start in order not to face any complications at the registration and approval stage.
Prior to starting with any customs-related registration and approvals, the business should have a valid trade or commercial license allowing it to perform customs brokerage or clearance activities (Approx. AED 15,000-25,000 for a mainland license. AED 12,000-20,000 in a free zone). The licensed business activity will be a basis for further registrations and approvals.
Customs brokers are normally required to register themselves according to the necessary customs registration procedure with the appropriate customs authority (approx. AED 100-500). In addition, Cabinet Resolution No. 62 of 2019 introduces the National Unified Numbering System for Customs Users, including customs users such as importers, exporters, and customs brokers.
The requirements regarding the qualification of customs brokers and customs broker approval in the UAE are provided by the related customs laws, regulations, and procedures issued by the respective authorities. Businesses should make sure that their licensing structure and registrations meet the requirements set by the law prior to providing customs-clearance services for third parties.
It is necessary to distinguish between:
Under the Common Customs Law, the authorized representative of a customs broker is considered separate, and duties are established for those who perform customs clearance procedures.
Enterslice assists organisations in determining their eligibility for obtaining customs registration and approvals for a customs brokerage business in the UAE.
The documents required for the UAE customs broker license application process might differ depending on the customs authority, emirate, and type of business. Companies are therefore supposed to check the requirements of the customs authority rather than assuming that there is one list of documents that will be requested throughout the UAE.
Some of the commonly required company-level documents could include:
The documents related to the shareholders, owners, managers, or signatories may also be demanded by the customs authorities. These demands will vary from emirate to emirate and from one approval category to another.
If there will be an individual acting on behalf of the company in the customs process, then the customs representative documents will be required separately from the company’s documents. This can be in addition to the documents submitted for the company itself.
Depending on the situation, additional supporting documents might be required by the customs authorities according to:
In cases where the requirements are set by a particular authority, such as Dubai Customs Requirements, then these requirements must be regarded as requirements of that particular authority alone and are not applicable in general for all the Emirates. Such a consideration will be useful when you apply for customs broker approval in the UAE or UAE customs broker registration.
Applying for a customs broker license in the UAE usually entails several steps in terms of regulations, besides setting up a company. While the particular process may differ across the emirates and customs authorities, below is an applicable model.
First, consider the type of business involved:
The selected activity would determine the licenses, registrations and approvals needed.
The trade license of the firm needs to be accurate and reflect the type of activities that are planned by the company. Just having a logistics or trade license does not mean that you can provide customs clearance services for other firms. (Approx. AED 15,000- AED 25,000 mainland; approx. AED 12,000-20,000 free zone)
The regulations are usually set by the customs authority competent to regulate the business area.
For instance:
After incorporation, the entity will need to undergo the appropriate customs registration process and customs user registration, if any, in order to interface with the customs system (approx. AED 100-500).
This step is different from acquiring a trade license. The customs authorities might give a code, registration or something similar that would allow them to make customs transactions and declarations. (customs broker license/authorization approx. AED 1000-5000, depending on the emirate)
It would be necessary for the business to ensure that its staff members who perform customs transactions have been properly authorized and registered with the customs authorities. (approx. AED 500-1000 per representative)
Prior to rendering its services, the broker will need access to the relevant customs systems along with proper authorizations in order to operate as the representative of the importer/exporter.
With all the necessary registrations and authorizations in place, the entity is ready to commence customs clearance operations.
Business Activity → Trade License → Customs Registration → Customs User Registration → Customs Code/Credentials → Representative Authorization → Operational Access → Customs Clearance
Enterslice can guide you through the entire process of licensing, customs registration, and obtaining approvals for customs brokerage operations in the UAE.
Entities wishing to obtain a customs broker license in the UAE would be advised to factor in various costs other than the fee that is paid towards obtaining the license itself. These costs depend on factors such as:
Whereas other types of regulated activities require a one-off fee, customs brokerage approvals involve various levels of government authority. Therefore, the total cost of the license varies based on:
Important Note: Unlike other regulated license fees in the UAE, the cost involved in customs brokerage does not necessarily depend on a uniform fee structure throughout the country. The cost involved can vary from emirate to emirate, depending on the licensing authority, customs registration regulations, authorized representatives, and services utilised by customs. Since the fees and other procedural requirements may change by the concerned customs authority, business organisations are advised to check for the applicable fees before starting the process.
Enterslice will help you assess the total costs of licensing and compliance applicable to the chosen emirate and customs operating system.
The process of receiving a customs broker license in the UAE is affected by the following:
There is no UAE-wide processing time period for customs brokers. Although certain services related to the customs process have a set processing period, in practice the total process includes a number of registrations and approvals which take longer than the processing period of those individual services.
Important Note: The total process differs depending on the emirate where it takes place, the licensing authority, customs authority requirements and the complexity of the application itself. That is why it is highly advisable not to rely on a single processing period but to consider the total approval process.
Getting your customs broker license in the UAE is just the beginning. Businesses need to continue to comply in order to offer clearance services efficiently.
The business needs to ensure that its license remains valid and that the activities under its license are consistent with its customs activities. (annual renewal approx. AED 12,000-25,000, depending on jurisdiction)
Customs registration should continue to be valid and up to date with the respective customs authority. Changes in business information should be communicated immediately.
When necessary, businesses should renew their customs-user registration. Cabinet Resolution No. 62 of 2019 introduced the national customs-user registration system that includes importers, exporters and customs brokers.
The Common Customs Law stipulates that customs brokers need to maintain records related to transactions made for their clients. It is a requirement that is essential for compliance, audit and dispute resolution purposes.
Authorized customs representatives need to have valid credentials, and changes in authorized representatives should be updated in the customs registration systems accordingly.
Businesses need to constantly monitor updates regarding:
Numerous approval delays stem from the fact that businesses concentrate on the establishment of their companies without taking into consideration customs-related requirements. Among the most frequent mistakes are:
One method of overcoming delay is the identification of all licensing, registration, and representative requirements prior to filing an application. Direct contact with the concerned customs authority to verify all requirements will decrease the chances of rejection and other delays.
Firms carrying out customs clearance without the proper approval face considerable risks.
The Common Customs Law establishes the procedures for the functioning of the customs broker and its representative and provides for various disciplinary actions, like warning, fine, suspension, and revocation of approval, when established by law. Operations without the necessary authorizations may also affect the business capacity of the enterprise to conduct its operations and serve its clients.
There must be an awareness of the difference between clearing one’s own products versus customs-clearing third parties, since regulations may vary. If a freight forwarder wants to move towards providing customs-clearing services, he/she needs to check what more registrations, approvals, and representative authorizations are required. Moreover, the particular customs authority and the approval process will also be dependent upon the emirate and the place where the customs-clearing process takes place.
Enterslice helps companies with:
Planning to launch or grow a business as a customs broker or clearing agent in the UAE? With Enterslice, you can be sure that we will assist you in determining the appropriate license and customs registration and all related regulations, including requirements pertaining to Regulated Activity Approval in the UAE.
Acquiring the UAE customs broker license goes beyond just getting the business license. The organisations have to evaluate their proposed activities, register themselves for the necessary customs activities, meet the emirate-specific criteria, and register their representatives. Since customs brokerage is an activity that is subject to regulation for reasons related to trade compliance, customs revenues, and border protection, maintaining this compliance is just as crucial as getting the initial authorization.
With an understanding of the relevant regulatory regime, documentation requirements, authorization process, and renewal procedure, companies are able to set up compliant customs clearance processes. Connect with our Enterslice team today to get customs broker and clearing agent approval.
Generally, businesses that perform customs-clearance activities for clients should assess whether customs broker or clearing-agent approvals, registrations, and authorizations are required under the applicable customs framework. · Customs brokers perform customs-clearance activities on behalf of others. · Additional registrations and representative authorizations may also apply.
Customs regulation operates through both federal and local frameworks. · The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP) oversees customs affairs at the federal level. · Emirate-level administrations such as Dubai Customs and Abu Dhabi Customs administer many operational customs requirements within their jurisdictions.
Not necessarily. Businesses should avoid assuming that a Dubai-specific registration automatically applies across the UAE. · Registration and operational requirements may differ by emirate. · Additional approvals, codes, or registrations may be required by the relevant local customs authority. · Businesses should always verify requirements with the customs administration responsible for the location where the activity is conducted.
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