March 25 2020

COVID-19 pandemic: emergency customs duty measures

Source: IBFD Tax Research Platform News

On 22 March 2020, the Dubai customs authorities issued Customs Notice 1/2020 on the implementation of the government's economic stimulus package to mitigate the consequence of the Covis-19 pandemic.

The Notice provides the following incentives:

  • a refund of 1% of the customs duty imposed on imported goods sold locally into the UAE market which are normally subject to a customs duty rate of 5%; and
  • traditional wooden commercial vessels registered in the United Arab Emirates will be exempted from berthing service for fees for arrival and departure, as well as direct and indirect loading fees at Dubai Creek and Hamriyah Port.

These incentive are valid during the period from 15 March 2020 to 30 June 2020.

In addition, the Notice provides that the AED 50,000 bank or cash guarantee required to undertake customs broker activities will be revoked, and that the bank or cash guarantee deposited by existing customs brokers and clearing companies will be refunded.