Exporting from Syria to United Arab Emirates
The agreement that applies, the expected duty, and what each side asks for — for factories in Syria selling to buyers in United Arab Emirates.
Send a certificate of origin with the shipment to claim the preference.
VAT — United Arab Emirates: 5% VAT
Greater Arab Free Trade Area (GAFTA / PAFTA)
- 0% customs duty
Arab-origin goods traded between members are fully exempt from customs duties and charges with equivalent effect, for both industrial and agricultural products.
Source ↗ - No non-tariff barriers, with set exceptions
Members may not apply non-tariff barriers to each other's goods, except for religious, health, security and environmental reasons. A few farm products can also be excluded temporarily during local harvest seasons (the agricultural calendar).
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Exceptions
- Syria: suspended 2011–2023
Syria's Arab League membership was suspended in 2011 and restored in May 2023, and trade with Syria was badly disrupted in between. Check Syria's current tariffs, payment channels and any sanctions before relying on GAFTA treatment.
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⚠ Before you trade
- Attestation process keeps changing
The invoice attestation rules and platforms changed in 2023, 2024 and 2026. A missing attestation can hold goods at customs, so confirm the current process with your UAE importer before shipping.
Source ↗ - Sanctions mostly lifted – some limits remain
The UK (April 2025) and EU (May 2025) lifted most economic sanctions; the US ended its Syria sanctions programme from 1 July 2025, repealed the Caesar Act in December 2025 and removed the terrorism-sponsor listing on 24 August 2026. Sanctions on listed persons remain, and some US-origin items still need export licences.
Source ↗ - Banking and payments are still difficult
Syrian banks are cautious: expect delays, extra due-diligence questions and transfer limits, and correspondent banking is limited. Screen your buyer against sanctions lists, use secure payment terms, and consider euro or regional-currency channels.
Source ↗ - Rules change often
Customs law, tariff, import lists and the authorities themselves changed in 2025–2026 and are still being updated. Always confirm current requirements with a licensed Syrian clearing agent before shipping.
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Importing into United Arab Emirates
- Importer registration (trade licence + customs code)
Only a UAE company whose trade licence allows importing can clear goods, after getting a customs (importer) code from the emirate's customs, e.g. Dubai Customs through Dubai Trade. Foreign factories sell through a UAE importer, distributor or free-zone company.
Source ↗ - Product conformity: ECAS / EQM (MoIAT)
Regulated products, including low-voltage electrical goods, lighting, tyres, vehicle parts, PPE, cosmetics, detergents, food-contact materials and some foods such as energy drinks and bottled water, need an ECAS certificate from the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology via an approved body (renewed yearly). The Emirates Quality Mark (EQM) lasts three years and also checks the factory's quality system.
Source ↗ - Food registration (ZAD and emirate systems)
Food products must be registered and their labels assessed before import, on the federal ZAD portal and the emirate's own system (for example Dubai Municipality in Dubai). Many foods must arrive with at least half of their shelf life left.
Source ↗ - Required documents
The UAE consignee submits the commercial invoice, a certificate of origin approved by a chamber of commerce, a detailed packing list with weights and HS codes, the bill of lading or airway bill, and an import permit for restricted goods. Food needs a health certificate; meat and poultry need a halal slaughter certificate.
Source ↗ - MOFA attestation of invoices and certificates of origin
Since February 2023, commercial invoices for mainland imports worth AED 10,000 or more must be attested electronically by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (AED 150 plus service fees). Since October 2024 the UAE consignee uploads invoices and certificates of origin on eDAS 2.0; the old eDAS 1.0 was closed in June 2026.
Source ↗ - Arabic labelling
Labels must be in Arabic or Arabic and English; Arabic stickers are allowed if approved beforehand. Food labels show name, ingredients, origin, storage and dates, and animal fats must come from halal-slaughtered animals. Ask your importer to get label approval before shipping.
Source ↗ - Banned and restricted goods
Banned: narcotics, gambling equipment, nylon fishing nets, live pigs, used or reconditioned tyres, radioactive materials and betel leaves. Restricted (need the relevant authority's approval): medicines and medical devices, weapons and fireworks, plants and pesticides, media, radio transmitters, alcohol, food and cosmetics.
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