Import Duty from China to UAE
Exactly what you’ll pay to import from China to UAE — duty, VAT and clearance, worked out before you order, not after the container lands.
Get your landed-cost quote
Tell us what you’re importing to UAE. We reply on WhatsApp, usually within a working day.
Factory-direct pricing
We buy at the Foshan factory gate — the same piece you see online, without the retail or middleman markup.
Quality checked before it sails
Photos and inspection at the factory and again at our warehouse, so problems are caught in China, not at your door.
Door-to-door to UAE
Sea and air freight to Jebel Ali, Mirsal 2 clearance and last-mile — handled end to end.
This is the practical guide to import duty from China to UAE: how the duty is calculated, what tax stacks on top, and the rate by product category. The UAE applies the GCC Common External Tariff — a flat 5% customs duty on almost all goods, furniture included, charged on the CIF value (Cost + Insurance + Freight), not the factory invoice. 5% duty on CIF, then 5% VAT on CIF-plus-duty, so the effective tax on a standard consignment is about 10.25% of CIF.
How duty and tax are calculated
The UAE applies the GCC Common External Tariff — a flat 5% customs duty on almost all goods, furniture included, charged on the CIF value (Cost + Insurance + Freight), not the factory invoice.
5% VAT then applies to CIF plus duty. 5% duty on CIF, then 5% VAT on CIF-plus-duty, so the effective tax on a standard consignment is about 10.25% of CIF. If you are VAT-registered in the UAE, import VAT is generally recoverable through your return.
Import duty by product category
| Product | HS heading | UAE rate | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Furniture | 9403 | 5% | HS 9403 at the flat 5% GCC rate on CIF. |
| LED & Lighting | 9405 | 5% | 5% duty, but LED and lighting are ECAS-regulated — conformity required. |
| Marble & Tiles | 6802 / 6907 | 5% | 5% on CIF; heavy cargo, so freight is the larger cost driver. |
| Mattresses & Bedding | 9404 | 5% | HS 9404 at 5%; high-volume/low-density, priced by CBM. |
| Sanitaryware & Kitchen | 6910 / 7324 | 5% | 5% on CIF; ceramic fixtures ship well in consolidated loads. |
| Machinery & Equipment | 84xx | 5% | 5% duty, but most machinery is ECAS-regulated for safety conformity. |
Rates are indicative of the current schedule; your exact rate depends on the full HS classification of your goods. We confirm it before you order.
Reviewed by verified import specialists
The duty, tax and clearance guidance on this page reflects Dubai Customs and the Federal Tax Authority practice and the applicable tariff schedule as of August 2026. Rates and procedures can change — we re-verify this page each quarter and confirm the rate for your specific HS code before you commit to an order. This is practical guidance, not a customs ruling on your particular goods.
A worked landed-cost example
On a US$20,000 order with US$2,000 freight and insurance (customs value US$22,000):
| Line | Amount |
|---|---|
| Customs value (goods + freight + insurance) | US$22,000 |
| Customs duty (a flat 5% customs duty on CIF) | US$1,100 |
| VAT on CIF plus duty | US$1,155 |
| Duty + tax total | US$2,255 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the import duty from China to the UAE?
The UAE applies the GCC Common External Tariff — a flat 5% customs duty on almost all goods, furniture included, charged on the CIF value (Cost + Insurance + Freight), not the factory invoice.
Is duty charged on the goods value or the total?
On the customs value, which includes freight and insurance to the border, not the factory invoice alone. That is why the landed cost is always higher than the factory price.
What tax is charged on top of duty?
5% VAT on CIF plus duty. If you are VAT-registered in the UAE, import VAT is generally recoverable through your return.
How do I find the exact duty rate for my product?
Send us the product and we classify it to the correct HS code, then give you the exact current rate and a full landed cost — free, before you commit to an order.
Get your landed cost before you commit to an order
Send us your product list or a supplier link. We classify the goods, confirm the rate against the HS code, and come back with one landed-cost figure delivered to your door in UAE — goods, freight, duty, tax and local charges in a single number.
Related guides
Furniture & project cargo, straight from the source
Six categories we move most for UAE buyers — each with the real duty rate and a factory-direct quote.
Sofas, Beds & Cabinets
Living, bedroom and dining sets straight from the Foshan factory floor.
Duty & sourcing for UAELighting & LED
Chandeliers, track, architectural and outdoor lighting, CE/SAA-ready.
Duty & sourcing for UAEMarble, Stone & Tiles
Slabs, porcelain and mosaics — heavy cargo we consolidate to cut freight.
Duty & sourcing for UAEMattresses & Bedding
Pocket-spring and foam, compressed and roll-packed to save CBM.
Duty & sourcing for UAESanitaryware & Kitchen
Basins, tubs, faucets and cabinetry for fit-outs and projects.
Duty & sourcing for UAEMachinery & Equipment
Production lines and equipment, inspected before they ship.
Duty & sourcing for UAEGet your landed cost before you commit to an order
Send your product list or a supplier link. We classify the goods, confirm the duty against the HS code, and come back with one number to your door in UAE — goods, freight, duty, tax and local charges.
No obligation · We reply on WhatsApp
Start your quote
One number, no surprises. We usually reply within a working day.