United Arab Emirates Import Duty Rate for Clothing & Apparel
HS 61 / 62 · Articles of apparel and clothing accessories
United Arab Emirates MFN Import Duty Rate
Live5%
Standard GCC CET.
How duty is calculated
CIF value
Product cost + international freight + insurance
Import duty (5%)
Applied to CIF value. EU, UK, and most countries use CIF.
VAT (5%)
Applied to CIF value + duty. Collected at customs.
Use our Landed Cost Calculator to compute the full cost including freight, brokerage, and last-mile delivery.
Worked example: clothing & apparel worth US$10,000
A commercial shipment invoiced at US$10,000 with US$900 of international freight and insurance. United Arab Emirates charges duty on the CIF value (goods + freight + insurance), so the duty base is US$10,900. Customs converts the amount to AED at the official exchange rate on the day of import.
| Charge | At 5% |
|---|---|
| Import duty | $545 |
| VAT (5%) | $572 |
| Total paid at the border | $1,117 |
VAT is usually recoverable for a registered business, so the cost that stays with you is the duty. Excise, anti-dumping duties and broker fees are not included.
Classifying clothing & apparel correctly
Chapter 61 covers knitted or crocheted garments and Chapter 62 woven ones; within each, the code depends on garment type, gender and fibre content.
- Knitted vs woven is the first question, and it changes the code entirely
- The fibre that predominates by weight decides the subheading — a 51% cotton / 49% polyester top is cotton
- Men's vs women's is decided by the way the garment closes (left over right is men's)
Compliance. Garments need fibre-content and care labels (EU Textile Regulation, US FTC Textile Act) and, for the US, country-of-origin marking; children's sleepwear and drawstrings have extra safety rules.
Importing into United Arab Emirates: what you need
Each emirate runs its own customs (Dubai Customs, Abu Dhabi Customs) under the GCC Common Customs Law; the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security sets federal policy.
Registration. A trade licence and an importer code registered with the emirate's customs authority.
Low-value shipments. Consignments worth AED 1,000 or less are exempt from customs duty; 5% VAT may still apply.
Documents customs will ask for
- Commercial invoice (attested where required)
- Packing list
- Bill of lading or air waybill
- Certificate of origin
- Permits from the relevant ministry for food, cosmetics, medicines and telecom equipment
Charges on top of duty
- VAT 5% on CIF value + duty
- 50% duty on alcohol and 100% on tobacco products
- Excise on tobacco, energy drinks and sweetened beverages
Watch out. Goods kept or re-exported from a free zone (Jebel Ali, KIZAD) pay no duty; duty is due only when they enter the UAE mainland.
Frequently asked questions
What is the import duty rate for Clothing & Apparel in United Arab Emirates?
The MFN (Most Favoured Nation) import duty rate for Clothing & Apparel (HS 61 / 62) in United Arab Emirates is 5% on the CIF value. Standard GCC CET.
Is VAT charged on Clothing & Apparel imports to United Arab Emirates?
Yes. United Arab Emirates charges VAT at 5% on the CIF value plus any import duty. This applies to virtually all commercial imports.
Are there FTA rates available for Clothing & Apparel in United Arab Emirates?
United Arab Emirates has free trade agreements with GCC (Saudi, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar), UAE–India CEPA, UAE–Israel FTA. Check whether your origin country qualifies for a preferential rate on HS 61 / 62.
How is import duty calculated for Clothing & Apparel entering United Arab Emirates?
Duty is calculated on the CIF value of the goods. CIF value includes the product cost, international freight, and insurance. The MFN duty of 5% is applied to this value. VAT (5%) is then applied on the duty-paid value.
Verify this rate
Duty rates change. Always verify the current rate at the official tariff schedule before importing.
GCC Common External Tariff official database ↗Quick facts