Updated September 2026

UAE–EU trade rules: standards, duties, fees and timeline

What European buyers and UAE exporters need to know: trade agreements, product standards, import duties and VAT, typical fees, and how long a first order takes.

Trade agreements at a glance

Destination	Agreement with the UAE	What it means for duty
European Union (27 countries)	No free-trade agreement in force; EU–UAE negotiations launched in 2025	EU standard (most-favoured-nation) duties apply
Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein	GCC–EFTA Free Trade Agreement, in force since 2014	Reduced or zero duty on most industrial goods with proof of GCC origin
United Kingdom	UK–GCC free-trade negotiations	UK Global Tariff applies until an agreement enters into force
Türkiye, India, Indonesia and other partners	UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPA)	Preferential duties with UAE certificate of origin

EU standards and regulations by product

Product group	Main EU requirements
All goods	EORI number, customs declaration, EU General Product Safety Regulation, correct HS code
Aluminium and steel	CBAM declarant authorisation and emissions data; EN material standards; mill test certificates (EN 10204 3.1); steel safeguard quotas
Polymers and chemicals	REACH registration for substances above 1 tonne a year (by the EU importer or an only representative); CLP labelling; safety data sheets
Cement, tiles, glass, gypsum	Construction Products Regulation: CE marking and Declaration of Performance against harmonised EN standards
Cables and electrical	CE marking (Low Voltage and EMC Directives), RoHS, WEEE registration; building cables also need a CPR fire class
Food	EU General Food Law, hygiene and contaminant limits, labelling in the local language (Regulation 1169/2011); products of animal origin only from EU-approved countries and plants
Pharma and medical	EU GMP and a marketing authorisation from the EMA or a national agency; plan for a long approval time
Packaging	Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (applies from August 2026); ISPM 15 for wooden pallets

Documents from the UAE side

UAE export declaration filed with customs (for example Dubai Customs or Abu Dhabi Customs)
UAE certificate of origin issued by a chamber of commerce or the competent authority
Commercial invoice, packing list and bill of lading
Independent pre-shipment inspection certificate
Product certificates: halal, health or sanitary, analysis, mill test and emissions data as relevant

Duties, taxes and typical fees

Cost	Typical amount	Paid by
EU import duty	0–12% on most industrial goods; for example unwrought aluminium 3% (unalloyed) or 6% (alloyed), polyethylene 6.5%	Importer, unless sold DDP
Import VAT	Germany 19%, France 20%, Italy 22%, Spain 21%, Netherlands 21%, Belgium 21%, Poland 23%, Sweden 25%	Importer; normally recoverable by VAT-registered businesses
CBAM certificates	Priced per tonne of embedded CO2; purchases for 2026 imports start in 2027	Importer (aluminium, steel, cement, fertilisers)
Customs broker	About EUR 75–250 per declaration	Importer
UAE certificate of origin	A small fee per certificate	Exporter
Pre-shipment inspection	About USD 500–1,500 per inspection	Agreed in the contract
Sea freight and insurance	Changes weekly with the market; quoted with each pro-forma	According to the Incoterm

Timeline of a first order

Step	Typical time
Enquiry to pro-forma invoice	2 business days
Buyer checks and payment-term approval	1–3 weeks
Contract and factory order	About 1 week
Production (stock items are faster)	2–8 weeks
Inspection and export documents	3–7 days
Sea freight to an EU port	3–5 weeks, depending on routing
EU customs clearance	1–3 days
Total	About 8–16 weeks for a first order; 5–10 weeks for repeat orders

Status as of September 2026. Indicative figures; rules change, so confirm with your customs broker or authority before shipping.