Shipping Arabia, October 1, 2026 – Dubai Customs has informed Dubai free zone companies that imported cargo moving through Sharjah ports to free zones in Dubai must be handled under new coordinated customs procedures, starting with registration at Sharjah Customs and obtaining a valid Business Code. Companies must also open an account to facilitate payment of the applicable customs guarantee for transit shipments.
The procedures were outlined by Dubai Customs in coordination with Sharjah Customs and cover three main stages: transit clearance at Sharjah ports, entry clearance at the relevant Dubai free zone, and recovery of the customs guarantee from Sharjah Customs.
Registration and Transit Clearance at Sharjah Ports
Dubai free zone companies seeking to move imported goods through ports in Sharjah must first register with Sharjah Customs and obtain a valid Business Code. They must then open an account that allows them to provide the customs guarantee required for clearing transit shipments.
The first operational stage involves clearing the cargo as a transit shipment with Sharjah Customs at a port in the emirate. The Dubai free zone company must prepare a transit customs declaration with Sharjah Customs and provide the applicable customs guarantee.
Once the customs declaration procedures have been completed, the cargo owner or an authorized representative is responsible for arranging the movement of the goods from Sharjah to the relevant free zone in Dubai.
The overall process therefore begins with three administrative requirements: registration with Sharjah Customs, obtaining a valid Business Code and opening an account for the customs guarantee. The company can then proceed with transit clearance and arrange transportation of the imported cargo to Dubai.
Cargo Entry Into Dubai Free Zones
The second stage takes place when the goods arrive at the destination free zone in Dubai. At this point, the company must complete the required import procedures with Dubai Customs.
The company must prepare a Free Zone Transit – In Declaration with Dubai Customs. It must also obtain proof that the goods entered the free zone, with the document stamped and certified by customs inspection.
In addition, the company must obtain a customs exit/entry certificate. These documents become important in the final stage because they support the company’s request to recover the customs guarantee previously provided to Sharjah Customs.
The procedures outlined by Dubai Customs therefore require the cargo movement to remain documented at both ends of the transit process. Sharjah Customs handles the initial transit declaration and guarantee, while Dubai Customs documents the cargo’s entry into the relevant Dubai free zone.
Recovering the Customs Guarantee
The third stage covers recovery of the customs guarantee from Sharjah Customs after the goods have entered the Dubai free zone and the required Dubai Customs procedures have been completed.
To recover the guarantee, the Dubai free zone company must submit a refund request to Sharjah Customs. The request must be supported by the customs declaration issued by Dubai Customs as well as the customs exit/entry certificate.
In total, the process outlined for Dubai free zone companies covers registration with Sharjah Customs, obtaining the Business Code, opening an account for the guarantee, arranging cargo transportation, filing the Free Zone Transit – In Declaration, obtaining customs-certified proof of entry, securing the exit/entry certificate and submitting the required documents to recover the guarantee.
Source: Al Khaleej