# Sourcing from India and China for UAE brands > UAE duty on goods from India, China and Vietnam as of September 2026, incl. India–UAE CEPA and the new UAE–Vietnam CEPA, plus ECAS and MoIAT rules and lanes. Source: https://sourcesquid.co/markets/united-arab-emirates/ Market guide · United Arab Emirates # Sourcing from India and China for UAE brands. For UAE brands, India is the shortest and cheapest lane: the India–UAE CEPA has removed duty on 97.4% of UAE tariff lines since May 2022, and Mundra to Jebel Ali is a few days’ sail. Chinese goods pay the GCC common tariff, usually 5%, and Vietnamese goods gained their own CEPA on 3 February 2026. [Get a free teardown in 48 hours](https://sourcesquid.co/start/?from=market-ae) See the duty picture 97.4% UAE lines duty-free for India 5% standard GCC customs duty 3 Feb 2026 UAE–Vietnam CEPA in force Duty snapshot · checked 28 September 2026 **Goods into United Arab Emirates** * _IN_ India **0% on 97% of lines (CEPA)** In force * _CN_ China **5% GCC tariff** No agreement * _VN_ Vietnam **CEPA since 3 Feb 2026** In force Full duty picture and sources ↓ 1. Duty 2. Compliance 3. Shipping 4. India or China 5. How we help 6. Sources 7. FAQ The short answer ## What UAE buyers need to know. As of 28 September 2026. Checked against official sources. 1. 01 The UAE applies the **GCC common customs tariff** : **5%** on most goods, on a CIF-type value, with some goods exempt or charged more. 2. 02 The **India–UAE CEPA** has applied since **1 May 2022** : the UAE removed duty on **97.4%** of its tariff lines, covering 99% of imports from India by value. 3. 03 The **UAE–Vietnam CEPA** entered into force on **3 February 2026**. **China** has no agreement with the UAE; GCC–China FTA talks are still open. Regulated products need an **ECAS** certificate from **MoIAT**. 1 · Duty picture ## What you pay at the border. As of 28 September 2026. Every rate depends on the product’s HS code, so treat this as the map and check your own codes before you order. ### How duty works in United Arab Emirates * Customs duty is 5% on most goods under the GCC common external tariff, calculated on the CIF value; some goods are exempt and others carry higher rates. VAT at 5% is charged at import. * Goods of GCC origin move within the Gulf as local goods when they meet the GCC origin rules, which makes the UAE a natural distribution hub. * CEPA preferences need a certificate of origin and must meet the agreement’s rules of origin. In flux · watch this * GCC–China FTA talks could change the China lane, but no conclusion had been announced by September 2026. * Shipping through the Red Sea and the wider region was still being restored carrier by carrier in September 2026; the India–UAE lane is short and less exposed, but confirm routing for goods from China. IN From India ### 0% on 97% of lines * In force India–UAE CEPA in force since 1 May 2022. The UAE eliminated duties on 97.4% of its tariff lines, covering 99% of imports from India by value, including gems and jewellery, textiles and clothing, leather and footwear, and engineering goods. CN From China ### 5% GCC tariff * No agreement No UAE–China or GCC–China free trade agreement is in force; Chinese goods pay the GCC common tariff, usually 5%. * In negotiation GCC–China FTA negotiations continue; no conclusion had been announced as of September 2026. VN From Vietnam ### CEPA since 3 February 2026 * In force UAE–Vietnam CEPA signed 28 October 2024 and in force since 3 February 2026. The UAE eliminates tariffs on 99% of Vietnamese-originating exports, with more than 95% of lines cut immediately. ### Agreements and measures that apply * **India–UAE CEPA** UAE and India In forceSince 1 May 2022 Duty removed on 97.4% of UAE tariff lines; 99% of imports from India by value. * **UAE–Vietnam CEPA** UAE and Vietnam In forceSince 3 Feb 2026 Tariffs removed on 99% of Vietnamese exports; most immediately. * **GCC–China FTA** GCC states and China In negotiationLong-running talks Not concluded. Chinese goods pay the GCC common tariff. Model it for your product: [Find the HS code](https://sourcesquid.co/tools/hs-code-finder/) [Compare landed cost](https://sourcesquid.co/tools/landed-cost/) 2 · Product compliance ## The rules your product has to meet. The UAE is open to trade, but regulated products need conformity certificates before sale. MoIAT ### ECAS conformity certificates Regulated products need an Emirates Conformity Assessment Scheme (ECAS) certificate before they are sold. The scheme covers electrical goods (including low-voltage products, lighting and RoHS requirements), mechanical goods such as tyres, PPE and child restraints, chemical products such as cosmetics, textiles, detergents and paints, and more. ECAS certificates are renewed each year. Quality mark ### Emirates Quality Mark (EQM) An optional mark, valid for three years, for manufacturers with a proven quality management system and product testing. Authority ### From ESMA to MoIAT The Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT), established in July 2020, took over the standards and metrology functions of the former Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology (ESMA). Older ESMA references now point to MoIAT. Origin ### CEPA certificates of origin Zero duty under the India or Vietnam CEPA needs a certificate of origin and goods that meet the agreement’s rules of origin. [FTA duty-saver audit ](https://sourcesquid.co/services/fta-duty-saver/) 3 · Getting goods there ## Sea lanes, transit times and Incoterms. Indicative port-to-port planning ranges, not a carrier schedule. Transhipment, blank sailings and routing change them; confirm with the carrier at booking. * Mundra / Nhava ShevaJebel Ali **3–7** days Frequent direct services * ChennaiJebel Ali **8–14** days Direct or via Colombo * Ningbo / ShanghaiJebel Ali **16–24** days Direct services Routing in September 2026: carriers were returning Asia–Europe services to the Suez Canal gradually, service by service; sailings via the Cape of Good Hope take roughly 10 to 14 days longer. ### Incoterms norms * CFR or CIF Jebel Ali is common for India–UAE trade because Indian exporters book the short sea leg; FOB works well for China. * The importer needs a UAE trade licence and customs registration; DDP by foreign suppliers is rare. * UAE duty is charged on the CIF value, so freight and insurance count in the duty base. [Pick a term with the Incoterms advisor](https://sourcesquid.co/tools/incoterms-advisor/) 4 · India or China ## Which country suits which product. Many UAE traders re-export across the Gulf and Africa. We check origin and certificates with re-export in mind. IN ### Strong from India [About sourcing from India](https://sourcesquid.co/india/) * **Gems, jewellery and precious metal goods** CEPA preferences and short transit make India the default source. * **Building materials and metal products** Tiles, sanitaryware, pipes and fittings, and fabricated steel from Indian clusters, days away by sea. * **Textiles, apparel and home goods** Garments, home textiles and décor, duty-free under CEPA. * **Food, spices and processed goods** Established export channels into Gulf retail. CN ### Strong from China [About sourcing from China](https://sourcesquid.co/china/) * **Electronics and electrical goods** Broad range with ECAS certification experience. * **Furniture, lighting and fit-out** Deep supplier base for hospitality and retail projects. * **Machinery and vehicle parts** Industrial range at the 5% GCC rate. Running both? [Plan a China + 1 second source](https://sourcesquid.co/sourcing/china-plus-one/) 5 · How SourceSquid helps ## From duty map to landed container. Our teams in Bengaluru and Ningbo find, audit and inspect factories for UAE brands buying from India and China, and collect the evidence your market asks for. USD 390 · named factories ### [Supplier shortlist](https://sourcesquid.co/sourcing/) Named manufacturers in India and China, checked by calls, matched to UAE requirements. Free tool ### [Landed cost calculator](https://sourcesquid.co/tools/landed-cost/) Factory price, freight, duty and taxes side by side, so you compare lanes, not quotes. Free tool ### [HS code finder](https://sourcesquid.co/tools/hs-code-finder/) Find the likely HS code first; every duty rate on this page depends on it. USD 490 per supplier ### [FTA duty-saver audit](https://sourcesquid.co/services/fta-duty-saver/) Rules of origin checked at the factory, up to 5 HS lines, so your zero-duty claim is defensible. From USD 229 per person-day ### [Inspections and audits](https://sourcesquid.co/quality/book-an-inspection/) In-line, pre-shipment and loading inspections by our own team in India and China. Compliance ### [Test advisor](https://sourcesquid.co/tools/test-advisor/) The UAE rules above turned into a supplier evidence list, collected at the factory. Sources ## Where these facts come from Checked on 28 September 2026 and refreshed monthly. Official government, customs and EU sources first; commentary is named as such. This page explains the rules in plain English. For a view on your own products, ask our team or your customs broker. 1. [PIB, Government of India: CEPA is the growth engine for India–UAE trade](https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1921222®=3&lang=2) 2. [UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism: UAE–India CEPA](https://www.moet.gov.ae/en/cepa_india) 3. [UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism: UAE–Vietnam CEPA](https://www.moet.gov.ae/en/cepa_vietnam) 4. [Sharjah Customs: customs tariff (5% duty)](https://www.sharjahcustoms.gov.ae/en/customs-tariff) 5. [MOFCOM China FTA Network: China–GCC FTA](https://fta.mofcom.gov.cn/topic/engcc.shtml) 6. [MoIAT: issue conformity certificates for regulated products (ECAS)](https://moiat.gov.ae/en/services/issue-conformity-certificates-for-regulated-products) 7. [SGS: understanding ECAS and EQM certification (June 2024)](https://www.sgs.com/en-us/news/2024/06/pca-2024-q2-navigating-uae-product-conformity-understanding-ecas-and-eqm-certification) 8. [Falcon Maritime: selected container services returning to the Suez Canal (16 Sep 2026)](https://www.falcon-us.com/news/2026/9/16/selected-container-services-returning-to-the-suez-canal) UAE buyer questions ## Straight answers. Checked on 28 September 2026. We update this guide when duties or rules move. [anirudh@sourcesquid.co](mailto:anirudh@sourcesquid.co) ### What duty do Indian goods pay in the UAE? Under the India–UAE CEPA, in force since 1 May 2022, the UAE has eliminated duties on 97.4% of its tariff lines, covering 99% of imports from India by value. Goods need a certificate of origin and must meet the CEPA rules of origin; otherwise the GCC common tariff, usually 5%, applies. ### What is the customs duty on Chinese goods in the UAE? Chinese goods pay the GCC common customs tariff, which is 5% on most goods, calculated on the CIF value, plus 5% VAT. There is no UAE–China or GCC–China free trade agreement in force. ### Is the UAE–Vietnam CEPA in force? Yes. It was signed on 28 October 2024 and entered into force on 3 February 2026. The UAE eliminates tariffs on 99% of Vietnamese-originating exports, with more than 95% of tariff lines cut immediately. ### What is ECAS certification? The Emirates Conformity Assessment Scheme, run by the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT), which took over the former ESMA’s functions. Regulated products such as electrical goods, tyres, PPE, cosmetics and paints need an ECAS certificate before sale, renewed each year. ### How long does shipping take from India to Dubai? As a planning range, about 3 to 7 days from Mundra or Nhava Sheva to Jebel Ali on direct services, and 8 to 14 days from Chennai. From Ningbo or Shanghai, allow about 16 to 24 days. Other market guides ## Selling in more than one market? [UK · Europe**United Kingdom** India–UK CETA has been in force since 15 July 2026: zero duty on about 99% of tariff lines for Indian goods.](https://sourcesquid.co/markets/united-kingdom/)[AU · Oceania**Australia** Since 1 January 2026, every Australian tariff line is duty-free for Indian goods under ECTA.](https://sourcesquid.co/markets/australia/)[DE · Europe**Germany** EU duty applies, GSP for India is suspended on most industrial goods, and the VerpackDG replaced the VerpackG on 12 August 2026.](https://sourcesquid.co/markets/germany/) Start here ## Your UAE landed cost, in 48 hours. Send one drawing, photo or quote. We return the process chain, the right clusters in India and China, and a landed-cost comparison for your market. [Get a free teardown](https://sourcesquid.co/start/?from=market-ae)[Talk to a principal](https://sourcesquid.co/contact/)