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The UAE has become India’s second-largest export market, with bilateral trade reaching $100 billion in FY25. As a result, the country is seeing a growing number of traders capitalize on opportunities emanating within. Indian exporters in particular have benefitted from reduced tariffs, faster clearance, and broader access to the UAE market.
For exporters, time is money. While the technicalities of doing business in a foreign country have eased overtime, the truth is that most don’t have the time to juggle complex documentation and customs procedures. What’s more, lack of awareness of government programs like Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) benefits often leads to barriers that prevent foreign entrepreneurs and SMEs from fully leveraging the UAE market.
This blog addresses these challenges with practical, step-by-step guidance on how to start export business from India to Dubai, covering documentation, compliance, high-demand products, and proven strategies to simplify expansion into Dubai.
Understanding the compelling reasons behind this opportunity is the first step in your journey to start export business from India to Dubai. As one of the world’s leading trade hubs, the UAE offers Indian exporters strategic access, advanced infrastructure, favourable taxes, and robust market demand.
The strategic positioning of Dubai provides a gateway to global opportunities for export businesses in India. Its proximity to India ensures the transport is not only fast but also cheap. What is even important is that goods can be easily re-exported to Africa, Europe, Middle East, which offers access to more than 2.5 billion consumers across the world.
The figures are self-explanatory, as the total trade of the UAE reached AED 5.23 trillion in 2024, representing a nearly 50 percent increase compared to 2021. This trend shows that the market has a growing potential, and India is one of the leading partners to the UAE, with no less than AED 78 billion of trade in 2025.
Shifting the potential on the market to the real implementation, Dubai has a logistics system that is recognized worldwide, ensuring that the export of goods out of India to Dubai is straightforward. In 2024, Dubai International Airport processed 2.2 million tonnes of cargo, which is just right to support time-sensitive freight such as medicines, electronics, and food products.
In addition to this air connectivity, Jebel Ali Port, the largest in the Middle East, was able to process 4.3 million containers in the first quarter of 2025. These gateways, along with each other, lead directly to the shipping routes of India, providing reliable and predictable trade flows that businesses can rely on.
In addition to infrastructure, the business environment in Dubai, UAE, is very active in facilitating Indian exporters. The nation has one of the most appealing tax regimes in the world, with corporate tax being zero on the gains of up to AED 375,000 and a mere 9 percent on any gain above this limit.
Free Trade Zones go an extra mile, offering total foreign ownership, no customs duties, full tax benefits, and the repatriation of profits in their entirety. The developed zones, such as JAFZA and DIFC, provide stability in the long term, which is necessary to enable exporters to grow in the long run. The tax benefits are high with VAT being at only 5 percent, with the majority of exports being tax-free.
The market demand aspect of the equation is also convincing. The multicultural nature of the population in Dubai, with Indian expatriates contributing significantly to the population, ensures that there is constant demand because of their purchasing power. Indian products in all categories, such as food, textiles, jewellery, pharmaceuticals, and machinery, all have good market presence.
The Emirate is also a major re-export centre, effectively supplying Saudi Arabia, Africa, and Europe. Recently, data indicates that the imports in Q1 2025 were AED 295 billion, exports were AED 185 billion, and re-exports were AED 132 billion. The growth was mainly in the non-oil segments, in which the Indian products perform better.
Above all, Dubai has one commodity that most markets do not have: predictability. The peg of the UAE dirham to the US dollar offers currency stability, whereas the transparent and business-supportive legal system offers efficient government processes with no complicated paperwork requirements.
Now that we know the reasons that make Dubai an attractive destination for Indian traders, let’s examine which specific sectors offer the greatest potential. The overall trade between India and the UAE reached a record $100.06 billion in FY25, with several key industries driving this growth.
Petroleum products
Petroleum products are at the top of the exports list. These represent significant export volumes, benefiting from both countries’ collaborative energy sector relationship and established trading infrastructure.
Renewable energy
Renewable energy equipment is an emerging industry sector that supports the sustainability aspect and renewable energy projects within the UAE. The rising demand for solar panels, wind energy components, and energy storage systems is an opportunity in areas where Indian manufacturers are getting competitive.
Automobile products are among the most lucrative, with leading companies such as Mahindra and Tata Motors experiencing tremendous growth. Automotive products have a long-lasting demand in Dubai, as they have a strong preference for fuel-efficient and affordable cars. Making this an ideal starting point for those exploring how to export products to Dubai.
Jewels and gems are still the mainstay of trade relations with Dubai. India is already exporting jewellery and gems worth over USD 6.15 billion as of FY25 (until January). This sector offers an ideal match; the developed status of Dubai as a global jewellery production centre and the well-known craftsmanship skills of India provide a natural business partnership.
This sector has also been improved in terms of competitive advantage with the provision of the CEPA agreement, which has made the Indian jewellery centre entirely duty-free.
Pharmaceuticals
Representing one of the fastest-growing categories, pharmaceuticals demonstrate immense potential for new exporters. Indian generic medicines, vaccines, and healthcare products find increasingly strong demand in Dubai’s diverse healthcare market. Around 11.7 USD billion worth of medications and vaccines have been exported to the UAE. The sector has expanded to over a billion in annual exports, driven by the winning combination of quality products delivered at competitive prices.
Healthcare devices and medical equipment
This industry enjoys the growing potential of India in the production of medical technology. Whether it is simple health supplies or advanced diagnostic machinery, Indian manufacturers still see a lot of potential in the growing healthcare industry of Dubai.
Textiles and apparel industries are still growing on their historic strength with the help of India, with its design skills and inexpensive production. The multicultural society in Dubai creates a wide range of demand, including traditional and modern clothes, which presents different businesses of all scales with various opportunities to penetrate the market.
Food products and Spices
This sector capitalizes perfectly on Dubai’s large Indian expatriate population while benefiting from growing interest in Indian cuisine among other communities. Basmati rice, authentic spices, processed foods, and specialty ingredients consistently find ready markets, making this an accessible category for smaller exporters beginning their India to UAE export process.
Agricultural products
Beyond the conventional spices, agricultural products exhibit good growth trends. The advantages of processed foods, organic products, and specialty agricultural products are the emerging consumer preference and the strategic location of Dubai as a food import center in the region.
While extending beyond traditional goods trade, IT services and software products represent significant opportunities as Dubai positions itself as a regional technology hub, opening doors for service-based exports alongside physical products.
Planning to export products to Dubai requires specific documents to ensure smooth customs clearance and full compliance with UAE trade regulations.
Below is a simplified list of the important documents you’ll need:
If you’re exporting food products to Dubai, you must also provide:
Here’s a crucial step that many new exporters overlook: except for food shipments, all export documents from India require legalization in the UAE. This two-step process ensures document authenticity:
1. Verification by the UAE Embassy’s Approved Agent – The documents are reviewed and stamped.
2. UAE Embassy Attestation – The Embassy formally sanctions the documents for a small fee.
At Stratrich Consulting, we ensure all documents receive proper preparation and complete attestation by the UAE Embassy in India and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) in the UAE, eliminating this complexity from your process.
Having a clear understanding of the documentation requirements, we can now concentrate on the step-by-step procedure, which will make your export ambitions a profitable reality. Market research will be your background, and it helps to define the particular demands and new market trends before implementing them.
Following these systematically organized steps will establish your business in the UAE successfully:
Step 1: Choose the right product to start the India to UAE export process
Dubai imports a remarkably diverse range of products from India, making it essential to understand which products align perfectly with your existing offerings and capabilities. We’ve already detailed the highest-demand products and supporting statistics in previous sections, giving you a clear foundation for decision-making.
The key lies in matching your production capabilities with genuine market demand while considering your competitive advantages-whether that’s cost-effectiveness, quality, or unique features that differentiate your products.
Make sure to check the HS code classification of your product and evaluate tariff benefits under the CEPA agreement, as this can significantly lower export costs and boost competitiveness.
Step 2: Obtain the Importer–Exporter Code
The Import Export Code (IEC) is your primary requirement. This 10-digit code, issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), is mandatory for all export and import transactions. Apply online through the DGFT portal with basic documents: PAN card, Aadhaar card, bank certificate, and business registration details. The process typically takes 2-3 days and costs around INR 500.
*Note: Your IEC isn’t just a one-time requirement. You must file annual returns to keep it active. Inactive IECs can cause shipment delays and customs complications when you least expect them.
Additionally, obtain the Registration-Cum-Membership Certificate (RCMC) from an Export Promotion Council relevant to your product. This certificate is often needed for export benefits and government incentives. Don’t forget AD Code registration with your bank in India, which is mandatory for receiving export payments and processing foreign trade transactions.
Step 3: Register your business in Dubai
This is the most important process in starting your export business between India and Dubai: setting up a legal entity in the UAE. You will have to choose between operating in the mainland or in a free zone, where each has its own benefits.
Trade License Requirement: To legally export and trade in Dubai, you must apply for an import-export or general trading license from the Department of Economy and Tourism (for mainland) or from the respective Free Zone authority. Without a valid trade license, you cannot register with Dubai Customs or open a UAE corporate bank account.
Mainland companies are allowed to trade in the UAE, but they need UAE nationals partners of 51 percent ownership.
Whereas Free Zones permit 100 percent foreign ownership with high tax incentives but restrict trade to the Free Zone and international markets.
To learn more about registering your business in Dubai, you can visit our blog or reach out to our UAE expert for assistance.
Step 4: Get the custom code at Dubai
When it comes to trading activities, an import export code or a customs code is required to comply with customs operations. Register for the Dubai customs portal with your trade license, passport, Emirates ID, and the UAE residency visa. The cost is AED 120 with the custom code being issued in 1-2 days.
Step 5: Prepare documents
Export from India to Dubai requires certain documents to satisfy the requirements of customs in the two nations. The loss of documentation can lead to delays or fines.
These is usually a commercial invoice, a packing list, a shipping bill, and any special certificates or permits needed in a certain product line. In other instances, the authorities may also insist on other paperwork, including a Certificate of Origin or a Phytosanitary Certificate, based on the nature of your products.
Other important requirements include: RCMC certificate (if not secured earlier), insurance policy for shipments, and export declarations filed via ICEGATE in India. If your UAE turnover exceeds AED 375,000, VAT registration in Dubai is mandatory.
Step 6: Partner with a reliable logistics provider
Effective logistics are crucial for on-time delivery and cost management. Dubai’s facilities, including Jebel Ali Port (the busiest port in the Middle East) and Dubai International Airport (DXB), play a crucial role in facilitating the rapid movement of cargo.
Select a freight forwarder to collaborate with companies and access comprehensive shipping services without weight limits. Learn about customs duties. Typically, goods in Dubai are subject to a 5% customs duty, although exemptions are available in Free Zones.
The CEPA agreement helps reduce tariffs on many Indian exports. Arrange warehousing by leasing storage space in Free Zones or on the mainland to facilitate efficient distribution.
Step 7: Build an online presence
With the current digital market, it is necessary to have a professional online site that represents your productions and capabilities as far as production is concerned in order to be credible in the market. This online presence is usually the first impression that a UAE buyer has and it can have a lot of impact on their decision to purchase.
Note: UAE buyers should also consider the domain name of the country, placing the products on the trade portal of the country and taking advantage of the e-commerce platforms like Noon and Amazon.ae. You can also showcase your products to the UAE market through Bharat Mart (the new India-UAE digital corridor).
Step 8: Ensure compliance with UAE regulations to prevent penalties
Make sure your products adhere to quality standards and labeling rules, particularly for consumer goods. Mandatory Arabic labels are required for consumer products. Secure certificates of conformity for textiles, food, and other regulated items.
Be careful not to export prohibited products like beer or pork because you will be severely punished in case of violations and your credibility as a provider of export products would be destroyed forever.
Step 9: Opening a Corporate Bank Account and Financial Setup
Managing finances effectively is critical for any import-export business:
Export licensing requirements vary significantly based on your product category. Understanding these requirements early prevents last-minute complications and shipment delays.
Most products can be exported under the Open General License (OGL), requiring no additional approvals beyond your IEC. This includes textiles, handicrafts, processed foods, and many other common export categories.
Restricted products require specific export licenses from relevant authorities. These include items like:
Prohibited items cannot be exported under any circumstances. The list includes items of archaeological importance, certain animals and animal products, and strategic materials. Check the current prohibited list before finalizing your product selection.
For Dubai-specific requirements, certain products require import permits from the UAE authorities before they can be exported. Food products, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and medical devices typically require pre-approval from Dubai Municipality or other UAE agencies.
The cost of export from India to Dubai varies depending on the business model and setup location. It also varies due to other determinants, such as the number of shareholders and tax regulations when selling to the UAE.
The approximate cost for India to Dubai export process include:
The additional operational expenses include:
These investments, while significant, often pay for themselves quickly once regular export operations begin, especially when leveraging CEPA benefits for reduced duties and improved profit margins.
Timeline planning helps set realistic expectations and ensures proper sequencing of activities. The complete timeline to start an export business from India to Dubai typically ranges from 30-60 days for full setup, broken down as follows:
First Export Order Processing (15-30 days):
Regular Operations Timeline:
Once established, repeat orders typically process within 10-20 days. New product introductions require 30-45 days, and quarterly compliance activities need 2-5 days each quarter.
*Note: Timelines are approximate and may vary based on approvals and external factors.
Before exporting to Dubai, UAE, it’s crucial to understand the restricted and semi-restricted products. As any violation can lead to shipment rejection, penalties, or legal action:
| Category | Type of Goods | Import Status |
|---|---|---|
| Strictly Prohibited | Narcotic drugs | Not allowed |
| Gambling machines/devices | Not allowed | |
| Israeli goods or symbols | Not allowed | |
| Nylon fishing nets | Not allowed | |
| Live swine | Not allowed | |
| Used/reconditioned/inlaid tires | Not allowed | |
| Paan/betel leaves | Not allowed | |
| E-cigarettes, electronic hookah | Not allowed | |
| Radioactive/nuclear fallout items | Not allowed | |
| Items against Islamic morals | Not allowed | |
| Any goods banned under UAE laws | Not allowed | |
| Semi-Restricted (Permit Required) | Live animals, plants, fertilisers, insecticides | Permit required |
| Nuclear energy products | Permit required | |
| Alcoholic beverages | Permit required | |
| Rough diamonds | Permit required | |
| New tyres / Drinking water | Permit required | |
| Radio & communication equipment | Permit required | |
| Foodstuffs, cosmetics, personal care | Permit required | |
| Publications, media, print materials | Permit required | |
| Arms, ammunition, explosives, fireworks | Permit required (Ministry approval) | |
| Pharmaceutical & medical instruments | Permit required |
The India-UAE CEPA represents a game-changing opportunity. Understanding how to leverage it properly can significantly improve your competitive position.
Now that you understand how to start export business from India to Dubai, it’s important to remember that, like any other venture, the export business in Dubai demands consistent effort, significant investment, and a well-defined plan to succeed. Conducting thorough market research and building solid relationships with potential clients and suppliers will set you on the right path.
As India is already the largest trading and export partner, the UAE offers many advantages to businesses registered here. However, the export process to the UAE requires a good understanding and knowledge of various laws associated with company registration, international trading, and customs. Stratrich Consulting will help you understand compliance and enable you to focus on your export business.
Our cost calculator can help you easily estimate your business setup expenses to meet your needs. Let Stratrich Consulting be your trusted partner in transforming export ambitions into a profitable reality.
