Dubai Customs Reports AED33.9 Billion in Trade Supported Under Economic Measures

The initiatives benefited 428 companies through measures including extended deadlines for suspended customs duties, installment payment options for customs duties, and an 80% reduction in financial penalties.

By Entrepreneur Middle East Staff | Jul 20, 2026

Add Entrepreneur

You're reading Entrepreneur Middle East, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media.

Dubai Customs said a package of customs facilitation measures introduced between March 1 and June 30, 2026, provided more than AED79 million in liquidity to businesses while supporting trade flows valued at AED33.9 billion.

The measures, introduced under economic support packages approved by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, were designed to support business continuity, strengthen supply chains, and maintain trade activity amid regional developments.

According to Dubai Customs, the initiatives benefited 428 companies through measures including extended deadlines for suspended customs duties, instalment payment options for customs duties, and an 80% reduction in financial penalties.

Abdulla bin Damithan, Chairman of the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation, said: “Guided by the vision of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, the emirate has developed the ability to respond quickly to changing circumstances — one of the foundations of its economic strength. As regional developments unfolded, the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation mobilised its capabilities to support businesses with practical solutions that strengthened business continuity and reinforced investor confidence in Dubai’s business environment.

“Supporting the business community in an exceptional environment is a national responsibility that safeguards the emirate’s achievements and strengthens its capacity for sustained growth. We will continue enhancing our services to give businesses greater flexibility, improve trade flows and save customers time and effort. As a key strategic player in the economy, the Corporation will continue strengthening Dubai’s competitiveness, attracting high-quality investment and developing a more efficient, sustainable and future-ready trade ecosystem.”

Dr. Abdulla Busenad, Director-General of Dubai Customs, said: “The customs facilitation measures reflect our leadership’s directives and Dubai’s proactive approach to anticipating regional and international developments. Through policies and procedures that support trade continuity and strengthen business resilience, Dubai Customs is enabling the private sector to continue growing with confidence, in line with the vision of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. The results speak for themselves: between 1st March and 30th June 2026, Dubai Customs attracted more than 4,000 new customers, reinforcing investor confidence and Dubai’s economic competitiveness.”

The department said 6,613 companies benefited from a 120-day extension for customs declarations covering import for re-export, temporary admission, and transit shipments, providing additional flexibility in managing customs obligations and cash flow.

Additional measures included extending the transit period from 30 to 90 days, facilitating cargo movements through the ports of Khorfakkan and Fujairah and the Hatta border crossing under the customs guarantee system, and prioritizing customs clearance for food and pharmaceutical products.

Dubai Customs also said its Green Corridor initiative facilitated the movement of more than 203,000 containers and over 3.16 million tonnes of goods valued at more than AED33.9 billion from 188 countries during the four-month period.

Food products accounted for the largest share of goods handled through the corridor at more than AED5.3 billion, followed by machinery and electrical equipment valued at AED4.24 billion, vehicles at AED2.21 billion, plastics at AED1.5 billion, and iron and steel products worth more than AED1 billion.

The department also processed pharmaceutical shipments worth AED446.6 million and maintained an instant customs clearance rate of 93%. It added that it identified more than 83 issues and proposals raised by the business community relating to customs clearance, logistics services, and shipping costs, with a number of these subsequently incorporated into new operational measures.