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Dubai extends customs duty deadline to 180 days for importers and re-exporters

Dubai extends customs duty deadline to 180 days for importers and re-exporters

Dubai Customs has extended customs duty suspension periods by an additional 60 days for qualifying imports, re-exports and transit shipments as it seeks to reduce financial and administrative pressures on businesses.

The temporary measure takes the total suspension period to 180 days and applies to specified suspended customs duty statuses expiring after February 27, 2026 and up to October 31, 2026.

Dubai Customs said the measure was introduced to support the continuity of supply chains and the smooth flow of trade amid current operational challenges.    

Dubai Customs duty extension

Customs Notice No. 17/2026 applies to three categories of suspended customs duty status:

  • Imports intended for re-export
  • Temporary admission
  • Transit in all its forms

The measure applies where the relevant suspended duty status expires after February 27 and up to October 31, 2026.    

Under the new notice, the customs duty suspension period for declarations covered by the measure will be extended by an additional 60 days. That takes the total suspension period to 180 days.

The additional period starts from the expiry date of the original suspended status rather than from the date of the new notice.    

The move follows Customs Notice No. 12/2026, issued on June 18, which also concerned the temporary extension of deadlines for suspended duty cases.

Dubai Customs said the latest measure is intended to reduce financial and administrative burdens on customers while supporting supply-chain continuity and trade flows.    

Dubai Customs can extend measure further

The authority has also left open the possibility of extending the period again.

The notice states that Dubai Customs may extend the specified period in accordance with its approved controls and procedures.

Any such extension can remain in effect until a subsequent customs notice is issued suspending or terminating it.    

Customs Notice No. 17/2026 took effect from its date of issuance on September 23, 2026, and applies temporarily to customs declarations falling within its scope.    

The notice was issued by Dr. Abdulla Busenad, Director General of Dubai Customs.

Read more: www.arabianbusiness.com/business/transport/dubai-extends-customs-duty-deadline?