Market Profile


Total UAE Population (millions): 4.3

Major City Populations  
Abu Dhabi 928,000
Dubai 674,000
Sharjah 400,000
Short al Khaimah 144,000
Ajman 118,000
Fujeirah 76,000

Top Importing Countries:
Japan, U.S., U.K.


Leading Exported Products:
Chemical Products, Vehicles, Pharmaceuticals


Transportation/Logistics:


• The principal ports in the UAE are Ajman, Al Fujayrah, Das Island, Khawr Fakkan, Mina Jabal Ali.

• There are a total of 15 ports that handle a high volume (3 Billion) of containers annually.

• The port of Mina Jabel Ali is one of the biggest artificial ports in the world.

• All major markets in the Middle East are acccesable in no more than 24 hours drive.

• No major port in the region is more than 48 hours steaming.

• Europe via ocean shipping is 14 days, Japan 20 days and South East Asia 9 days away.

• Port of call for over 125 of the world's major container shipping lines, including feeder vessels to Iran, Africa and the Indian sub-continent.

• Dubai International airport,is serviced by more than 95 airlines to and from over 137 destinations.

Customs duties

There is a common customs duty for the United Arab Emirates. The customs duties account for 4% of the CIF value (cost, insurance freight) of the goods or services. Further, the customs tariff includes a list of products or goods, exempt from customs duty. There is no need to pay these customs duties on food products entering Jebel Ali free zone and Al Awir terminal.

Besides, goods entering the Duty Free Storage Area (DFSA) at Rashid port are not taxed. These duties can be settled according to different forms. Once these are paid, the duties cannot be reimbursed (except if there is an error from UAE Authorities). But in all cases, the duties are levied by the authorities when an import takes place. There are also customs duties the rates of which range between 25 and 50% for alcohol and tobacco.


Currency

The currency is the Dirham or AED.


Languages

Official language: Arabic.
Commercial language: English. (spoken in hotels, shops and by most businessmen.)
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