§ Dossier · Costs
Four buckets, no surprises.
Fixed setup is the one people remember. Launch prep, working capital, and channel ops are where budgets quietly fail. Work each number against a HS code -confirmed quote before spend.
| Customs value | AED 50,000 |
|---|---|
| Duty (≈ 5%) | + AED 2,500 |
| Import VAT (5% on value + duty) | + AED 2,625 |
| Cash outlay at entry | ≈ AED 55,125 |
| Recoverable later (as a registered importer) | AED 2,625 (the VAT) |
Cash timing, not cost. You are out of pocket the VAT amount until your next return cycle.
Fixed setup
AED 5k – 40k
- Dubai Customs business registration Fact
- AED ≈ 120 (fee).
- VAT registration (EmaraTax) Fact
- Free to register.
- Free-zone headline licence Fact
- AED 6,875 – 12,500, 0-visa baseline.
- Free-zone practical (licence + food + visa + e-channel + essentials) Assumption
- AED 15k – 40k in realistic totals.
- Mainland LLC (DET licence + activities + bank onboarding) Assumption
- AED 20k – 60k directional, verify with a licensing agent.
Launch prep
AED 3k – 20k
- Label legal + Arabic translation / sticker QA Assumption
- Broker quotes 1–3k per SKU typical.
- Food sample testing (if requested) Fact
- Oil/fat tests in the public fee sheet: free fatty acid AED 56, peroxide AED 56, melting point AED 70.
- Customs broker retainer (pilot scope) Assumption
- 5–10k typical for guided first-shipment setup.
Working capital / import
Per shipment
- Import duty Assumption
- Approx 5% of customs value. Confirm HS code-specific rate.
- Import VAT Fact
- 5% on customs value + duty + fees. Cash outlay at entry; recoverable for registered importers.
- Spain export + freight Confirm
- Variable with carrier, volume, Incoterm.
- 3PL receiving + storage first month Assumption
- 2–5k typical for pilot SKU volumes.
Channel ops
Per month of trading
- Amazon.ae FBA / Easy Ship fees Confirm
- Category commission + per-unit fulfilment fee. Model against real landed cost before committing.
- noon commissions Confirm
- Category-specific, confirm on onboarding.
- Payment gateway MDR Assumption
- Stripe / Telr / Wio: 2.5–4% typical blended.
- 3PL pick-pack + last-mile Confirm
- Unit-economics sensitive. Confirm with chosen 3PL.