DISPLAYING ITEMS BY TAG: GCC

Dubai Customs is pleased to announce that new template of unified GCC Printof Customs Declaration has been implemented in Mirsal system effective from September 29, 2024. This new template is aligned with the standard unified Customs Declaration format agreed at GCC Customs Union committee.

Following are the major changes in the new template of GCC print (in addition to some other minor improvements):

• QR code has been introduced in the new unified GCC print whereby the latest declaration information can be scanned and verified through QR code.
• Antidumping charge has been printed separately, wherever applicable, in addition to Customs duty and other charges.
• GCC AEO Company Name and GCC AEO Logo have been added as new fields for printing in the new template.
• Weight and Quantity of items are now displayed at HS Code line item level whereby net weight and quantity of each line item are printed in the new template.
  Similarly, in Customs Restrictions section, Agency (i.e. controlling Authority) is now printed, wherever applicable, at each HS Code line item level. 
• ‘Copy type’ (like consignee copy, consignee claim copy, handling authority copy) and associated Distribution text’has now been removed from the new template.

Further to Dubai Customs Notice no. (10/2025), the flexibility period indicated for the implementation of the first phase i.e Customs declarations whose destination is a GCC Country, applicable until February 2026, is the option to use 8-digit HS codes both of 12-digit HS codes.

By no means does this permit the use of 12-digit codes for trade flows outside the GCC or for any other trade flows that are not yet permitted as demonstrated under Paragraph 2. The trade flows in which 12 digits may be used are mentioned in Paragraph 3, based on the phases mentioned in Customs Notice 10/2025.

1. This flexibility does not mean that 12-digit HS Codes can be used for every declaration.
2. In the current flexibility period, 12-digit HS codes cannot be used for:

• Free Zone in/out other than GCC
• Movements between Dubai Free Zones
• Transshipments
• Transit Trade
• Transfers within Free Zones
• Local Exports to the Rest of the World

Note:

• The above are exempted from the application of the integrated customs tariff (12-digit classification) i.e not part of the phased approach and the 8-digit codes will continue to apply.
• The flexibility does not extend to using 12-digit HS codes where they have not yet been allowed, for example using 12-digit codes for the above listed declarations.

        3. Currently, 12-digit codes shall only be exclusively used for trades permitted under Phase 1 which includeGCC Trade.

        4.The implementation of 12-digit HS Codes is being carried out in phases as below:

• Phase 1 (Aug 2025 – Feb 2026)

Only GCC-destined shipments are expected to transition to the new 12-digit HS Code.  However, for flexibility during the first six months, traders are permitted to use either  the 8-digit or 12-digit HS Code. This phase also introduces rules around importer codes and conditional applicability for different trade flows which can be found in the annexes to Customs Notice 10 of 2025.

• Phase 2 (Feb2026 – Aug 2026)

The flexibility of Phase 1 ends and the use of 12-digit HS Codes becomes mandatory for GCC trade. Additionally, the requirement is expanded to include imports from Free Zones and Customs Warehouses into the local market.

• Phase 3 (Aug 2026 – Feb 2027)

The requirement to apply 12-digit HS codes is extended to cover imports from the rest of the world (RoW) into both the local market and the GCC.

• Phase 4 (from Feb 2027 onwards)

The application of 12-digit HS codes is further extended to cover temporary flows destined for the GCC. Shipments destined for Free Zones, however, remain permanently exempt and will continue using the 8-digit HS Code.

Any use of 12-digit codes outside these 4 permitted trades would be violative of Customs Notice 10/2025 and may attract appropriate penalties.

In line with our commitment to keeping you updated with all the latest enhancements, we’re excited to introduce a faster, easier way to sign Jafza employment contracts for Permanent Access Cards (PAC) for UAE and GCC nationals, as well as Permanent Identity Cards (PIC).

Starting from 26 August 2024, you can do the whole process online using DocuSign, a secure electronic signature platform.

How it Works:

1. Request Submission: Once your request for PAC or PIC application is verified by Jafza, the employee will receive an email notification with instructions on how to digitally sign the employment contract.
2. Employee Signature: The employee reviews and signs the contract electronically through DocuSign.
3. Employer Notification: Upon employee signature, the registered company email will receive a notification to proceed with the employer's digital signature.
4. Employer Signature: The employer reviews and signs the contract electronically.
5. Jafza Processing: Once both signatures are complete, the request is automatically forwarded to Jafza for processing.