New cargo verification data rules costly and testing for UAE importers

Dubai Customs has announced new regulations that require local importers to obtain attestations from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation for invoices of AED10,000 ($2,722) and above, costing AED150 ($40.84) per invoice. Failure to comply will result in a penalty of AED500 per invoice. The new rules will come into effect on 1 February and apply to all goods imported into the UAE. The attestation compliance is intended to combat shipping fraud, but could prove challenging for importers with large volumes, and there is currently no clarity on how free trade zone imports will be dealt with.