Countries · AE
United Arab Emirates: sanctions and trade risk
As of 7 November 2026, the screened UN, EU, UK, Swiss and US sanctions lists contain 870 companies, organisations, vessels and aircraft linked to United Arab Emirates.Lists last checked .
Logistics profile: ports, airports, customs, documents, holidays, news ↓
United Arab Emirates is named in official guidance as a route for re-exports to Russia. Ordinary goods are usually not restricted, but authorities expect you to verify the real end destination and end user, especially for goods on the EU/UK high-priority lists.
Sources: UK — Countering Russian sanctions evasion: guidance for exporters (at-risk jurisdictions list) (12 Mar 2026) · FinCEN/BIS Joint Alert FIN-2022-Alert003 (fn. 21 transshipment points) (28 Jun 2022) · European Commission — Q&A on the 21st package (QANDA/26/1686) (24 Jul 2026) · reviewed 24 Oct 2026
By sanctions regime
The indicator above is the strictest of these. Which regimes are relevant to a shipment depends on many connections — dispatch country, company location, incorporation, nationality, ownership, banks, goods origin. The check selects them from your inputs in a simplified way; UN measures take effect through each country's implementing law.
| Regime | Indicator | What applies |
|---|---|---|
| UN | — | No UN sanctions regime. |
| EU | — | No measures against the country itself. |
| Switzerland | — | No measures against the country itself. |
| UK | Re-export route | Named in the UK list of jurisdictions at risk of re-export to Russia (Mar 2026). |
| US | Re-export route | Named in US guidance (FinCEN/BIS alert 2022) as a transshipment point to Russia. |
On the sanctions lists
870 entries on the official lists name United Arab Emirates — as nationality, address, registration or flag. That links them to the country; it says nothing about other companies there. The same company can appear on several lists and is then counted once per list. Individuals are not included — Sanctioni does not process them.
| List | Entries | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US OFAC — Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) | 577 | 577 | — | — |
| UK Sanctions List (FCDO) | 179 | 179 | — | — |
| Switzerland SECO Consolidated Sanctions List | 73 | 73 | — | — |
| EU Consolidated Financial Sanctions List (FSF) | 38 | 38 | — | — |
| UN Security Council Consolidated List | 3 | 3 | — | — |
Latest changes
- Switzerland (SECO) · Situation in Ukraine: 329 new designations
· New listings
- Switzerland (SECO) · Situation in Ukraine: 45 new designations
· New listings
- United Kingdom · Sudan: 7 new designations
· New listings
Related
Logistics profile
United Arab Emirates: logistics and trade
Global sea and air cargo hub, re-export and free trade zone hub
The United Arab Emirates (AE) is a federal monarchy of seven emirates on the Persian Gulf and the leading trade, logistics and re-export hub of the Middle East. As a member of the GCC customs union, the UAE levies a common external tariff of usually 5 percent (50 percent on alcohol, 100 percent on tobacco) plus 5 percent import VAT through the Federal Tax Authority. Customs clearance is handled per emirate: Dubai via Mirsal 2 on the Dubai Trade platform, Abu Dhabi via the Advanced Trade and Logistics Platform (ATLP); 12-digit HS codes apply since January 2025. The economy is shaped by oil and gas, aluminium, financial services, tourism and a vast re-export sector. Infrastructure is world-class: the container port of Jebel Ali (around 15.5 million TEU in 2024, the world's ninth-largest), Khalifa Port in Abu Dhabi, the east-coast ports of Fujairah and Khor Fakkan, the cargo airports Dubai International and Al Maktoum (DWC) and the Etihad Rail freight network. Numerous free zones such as JAFZA make the country the central transshipment platform between Asia, Europe and Africa. A structural risk remains its location at the Strait of Hormuz.
- Capital
- Abu Dhabi
- Population
- 11,294,243
- Area
- 83,600 km²
- Currency
- UAE Dirham (AED)
- Continent
- Asia
- Region
- Middle East / GCC (Gulf region)
- Economic area
- GCC Customs Union (Gulf Cooperation Council)
- Religions
- Islam, Christianity, Various
- Access to the sea
- Yes
Transport modes Sea · Air · Road · Rail
- Current situation
- As of 2026-07-18: Strait of Hormuz largely closed again. After the renewed US-Iran conflict, ship traffic in the strait collapsed (in mid-July only about 10 transits per day instead of a normal 88). Jebel Ali temporarily operating at greatly reduced capacity; cargo handling is shifting to the east coast ports of Fujairah and Khor Fakkan (outside the strait) as well as Khalifa Port. Higher freight rates and risk of backlogs. Sources: Al Jazeera, UN News (07/2026).
- Seasonal conditions
- Extreme summer heat (above 45 degrees) with high demands on the cold chain; occasional sandstorms and rare heavy rain and flood events (e.g. April 2024) can disrupt road and air traffic.
Main seaports
- Mina Jabal Ali
Jebel Ali (AE JEA): DP World's flagship Gulf container hub, 15.5M TEU in 2024, plus breakbulk, Ro-Ro, JAFZA free zone and reefer capacity.
- Khawr Fakkan
Khor Fakkan (AE KLF): transhipment container port on the Gulf of Oman, run by Gulftainer, outside the Strait of Hormuz. Capacity up to 5M TEU.
- Mina Saqr
Saqr Port (AE MSA), Ras Al Khaimah: the largest dry-bulk port in the Middle East, handling aggregates, limestone, cement, clinker, breakbulk and project cargo.
- Jabal Az Zannah/ruways
Jabal Dhanna/Ruwais (AE JED), UAE: ADNOC energy terminal for crude, gas, sulphur, fertiliser. No liner traffic — containers via Khalifa Port or Jebel Ali.
- Zirkuh
Zirku (UAE): ADNOC crude oil export terminal in the Persian Gulf, tankers to 350,000 DWT. No container or general cargo – use Khalifa Port or Jebel Ali.
- Al Fujayrah
Fujairah: the Middle East's largest bunkering hub on the Gulf of Oman, ~7.5 Mt bunkers in 2024, focused on liquid bulk. Containers via Khor Fakkan or Jebel Ali.
Main cargo airports
- Dubai International AirportDXB
Dubai International (DXB): 2.1m tonnes cargo with DWC in H1 2025 (+12%), belly network of 250+ destinations, Cargo Mega Terminal, DAFZA free zone.
- Al Maktoum International AirportDWC
Al Maktoum International (DWC), Jebel Ali: Emirates SkyCargo freighter base adding up to 10 Boeing 777Fs by 2026, bonded sea-air link to Jebel Ali Port.
- Zayed International AirportAUH
Zayed International (AUH/OMAA): Etihad Cargo home base, ~770,000 t across the network in 2025 (+12%), 36 freighter destinations, Khalifa Port and KEZAD.
- Sharjah International AirportSHJ
Sharjah International (SHJ): 204,323 t of cargo in 2025, expansion to 250,000 t, 16,770 t sea-air, Air Arabia home base, SAIF Zone on site.
Road corridors
- E11 Sheikh Zayed Road (Abu Dhabi - Dubai - Sharjah - Ras Al Khaimah)
- E311 / E611 (Emirates Road)
- Connection to Saudi Arabia (Ghuwaifat / Al Batha)
- Connection to Oman (Hatta, Al Ain / Buraimi)
Rail corridors
- Etihad Rail freight network (from Ghuweifat at the Saudi border to Fujairah)
Main trade lanes
- China - UAE
- India - UAE
- UAE - Saudi Arabia
- UAE - India (re-export)
- Europe - UAE
Customs and import
Customs authority Federal Customs Authority (FCA); across the emirates, including Dubai Customs and Abu Dhabi CustomsOfficial website ↗
- Import customs system
- GCC customs union with a common external tariff. Dubai uses Mirsal 2 (Dubai Trade), Abu Dhabi uses the ATLP. Since January 2025, 12-digit HS codes (GCC Integrated Customs Tariff).
- Export customs system
- Export and re-export are handled through the same systems (Mirsal 2 / ATLP). Significant re-export from free zones (e.g. JAFZA); goods in free zones are considered outside the customs territory under customs law.
- Import VAT
- 5 percent (standard rate)
- Proofs of origin and trade agreements
- Certificate of Origin issued via the Ministry of Economy and chambers of commerce. GCC member; preferential trade via GAFTA and CEPA (including India, Türkiye); GCC-EFTA FTA signed.
- Restricted and prohibited goods
- Prohibited include narcotics, certain media, gambling devices, ivory, and non-halal goods. Restricted: alcohol and tobacco (high customs duties), weapons, pharmaceuticals, CITES. Checks via FCA.
Typical import documents
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Customs declaration (Mirsal 2 / ATLP)
- Transport document (B/L, AWB, CMR)
- Certificate of Origin
- Import permits for controlled goods
Typical export documents
- Export declaration (Mirsal 2 / ATLP)
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Certificate of Origin
- Transport document
- Export license for dual-use / strategic goods
Logistics conditions
- Customs complexity
- Medium
- Customs delays
- Medium
- Dangerous goods relevance
- High
- Pharma and cold chain relevance
- High
- E-commerce relevance
- High
Trade
Top import partners
Top export partners
Top import goods
- Gemstones
- Electronic devices
- Fuels
- Machinery
- Plastics
Top export goods
- Mineral oils
- Precious metals
- Plastic goods
- Machinery
Typical cargo
- Crude oil and petroleum products
- Aluminum
- Electronics
- Machinery
- Consumer goods
- Gold and gemstones
- Pharmaceuticals
Upcoming public holidays
- UAE National DayWed, 2 Dec 2026 · businesses closed
- UAE National Day (Second Day)Thu, 3 Dec 2026 · businesses closed
- New Year's DayFri, 1 Jan 2027 · businesses closed
- UAE National DayThu, 2 Dec 2027 · businesses closed
- UAE National Day (Second Day)Fri, 3 Dec 2027 · businesses closed
Latest logistics news
- Hormuz: Report Describes New Attack Tactics Against Vessels21 Oct 2026
Reuters reports on altered Iranian attack tactics in the Hormuz region. For affected shipments, security situation and travel confirmation remain critical factors.
- Emirates SkyCargo Surpasses One Million Pharmaceutical Shipments7 Oct 2026
Over one million pharmaceutical shipments since 2016: Emirates SkyCargo continues to expand Dubai as a GDP-certified pharmaceutical hub.
- Hormuz Remains a Problem Zone: China Restructures Its Oil Route19 Aug 2026
China is diverting its oil shipments away from Hormuz and Bab al-Mandeb. At the same time, a deadly attack on a cargo vessel demonstrates how high the risk remains.
- Dubai Customs Stops Over 70 Million Falsely Declared Cigarettes18 Aug 2026
Nine air freight shipments were declared as clothing. Dubai Customs discovered more than 70 million cigarettes within them and linked all shipments to the same importer.
- Switzerland and 18 Partners Aim to Better Secure Supply Chains19 Jul 2026
Switzerland and 18 partner states aim to better coordinate trade and make supply chains for essential goods more resilient. New members include Peru, South Korea, and Thailand.
Logistics questions
What are customs duties and import taxes in the UAE?
The common GCC external tariff is generally 5 percent of the CIF value. Alcohol is subject to 50 percent, and tobacco to 100 percent. In addition, import VAT of 5 percent applies.
Which customs system do the UAE use?
There is no single federal system for declarations. Dubai processes imports via Mirsal 2 on the Dubai Trade platform, and Abu Dhabi via the Advanced Trade and Logistics Platform (ATLP). Since January 2025, 12-digit HS codes under the GCC Integrated Customs Tariff are mandatory.
What do free zones mean for imports?
Goods in free zones such as Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA) are considered outside the customs territory under customs law. Customs duties and import VAT only become due when goods are imported into the local market (mainland); re-exports from the zone remain duty-free.
What documents do I need to import into the UAE?
Commonly required are a commercial invoice, packing list, an electronic customs declaration (Mirsal 2 or ATLP), a transport document (B/L, AWB or CMR), and a certificate of origin. For controlled goods, import permits are also required.
Which seaports and airports are most important in the UAE?
The most important seaport is Jebel Ali in Dubai (DP World), followed by Khalifa Port in Abu Dhabi and the east coast ports of Fujairah and Khor Fakkan. For air cargo, Dubai International (DXB) and the freighter hub Al Maktoum (DWC) lead, complemented by Abu Dhabi (AUH) and Sharjah (SHJ).
How does the Strait of Hormuz affect supply chains?
A large share of UAE sea and energy trade passes through the Strait of Hormuz. When this strait is disrupted, as during the 2026 crisis, congestion occurs at Jebel Ali and freight rates rise. The east coast ports of Fujairah and Khor Fakkan lie outside the strait and serve as alternative access.
Full logistics profile on Freight Academy ↗
Powered by Freight Academy, verified 18 Jul 2026. Logistics information, not a sanctions source.