For centuries, coffee has been a central element of hospitality in the Arab world, and the same remains true today in the modern UAE. And while fresh gahwa (or qahwa), or traditional Arabic coffee, remains a staple of daily life, the UAE is also witnessing a rise in specialty coffee shops, serving everything from premium espresso to creative brews crafted from beans sourced worldwide.
This is largely due to the UAE’s multicultural makeup, with a diverse population of expatriates and visitors who bring a wide range of coffee preferences and tastes. Many cafes focus on a particular style of coffee, and while specialty coffee has been present in the UAE since 2007, it wasn’t until about ten years ago that the specialty coffee wave truly took off.
For instance, in Dubai, you can find a wide variety of specialty coffee offerings, from locally roasted beans to internationally recognized brands. The city’s vibrant coffee scene includes everything from sleek, minimalist cafes serving expertly crafted lattes to experimental coffee spots that push the boundaries with unique brewing methods and flavors.
But regardless of the style, the demand for high-quality international coffee beans in the UAE presents significant business potential. To assist new buyers with the import process, our team at Those Coffee People has created this comprehensive guide on successfully importing green coffee beans into the UAE.
How to find a coffee supplier in the UAE
Finding a reliable supplier is one of the most important steps when importing green coffee beans into the UAE. A good supplier can help ensure the quality, consistency, and timely delivery of your coffee beans. Most importantly though, a good supplier will have a thorough understanding of the UAE’s rules and regulations regarding coffee imports.
This knowledge is particularly vital in the UAE, which features 45 “free zones” where goods, including coffee, can be traded with preferential tax and customs benefits.
Looking for coffee bean importers to the UAE? We’re experts at sourcing and shipping green coffee to UAE buyers.
Arranging shipping
Whether you’re planning to ship coffee beans to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or other emirates, you’ll have four options for arranging shipping:
- Less than container load (LCL) shipments
- Full container load (FCL) shipments
- Air freight
- Courier
According to UAE import regulations, all importers must first obtain the relevant trade license from the Department of Economic Development (DED) in the respective emirate before shipping goods into the country.
You can apply for, renew, and manage a trade license through the DED’s online portal.
Overseas coffee companies also have the option to establish an office in one of the UAE’s free zones. By doing so, they can use a free zone trade license to import coffee into the country.
The good news is that Dubai’s primary free zone port, Jebel Ali, is one of the largest and busiest ports in the region. With state-of-the-art facilities and services tailored for international trade, along with a strong reputation for efficient customs clearance, your green coffee shipments are likely to pass through smoothly and arrive on time.
Shipping costs
When importing green coffee beans into the UAE, shipping costs can vary depending on several factors, including the origin of the shipment, the shipping provider, and the Incoterms agreed upon during the transaction, and any additional fees and export charges imposed by the exporting country. Understanding these costs is essential for budgeting and planning your importation process.
For example, a full container load (FCL) shipment from a farm in Colombia to Dubai, typically costs between $5,900 to $6,500. This price includes Colombian domestic freight from farms to the port, port fees and taxes, export charges, required documentation, international freight, and insurance.
Air freight from Bogotá averages $3 to $4 per kilogram. However, you’ll also need to factor in $450 to $550 in fixed costs for domestic freight from the coffee farms to the airport, port fees and taxes, export costs, and required documentation for air shipments.
UAE coffee imports labeling requirements
Previously, the UAE allowed labels in English, but current food labeling regulations from the Abu Dhabi Food and Safety Authority now mandate that all labels must be in Arabic. If the original label is in Arabic, a translated English copy can also be attached to the original.
For green coffee bean shipments to the UAE, the shipment label must include the following details:
- Name of the product and its grade
- Name of the species
- Net contents
- Name and address of manufacturer/ packer/ distributor/ importer/ exporter/ vendor
- Production date
- Expiration date
- Country of origin
Customs clearance and declarations for green coffee in the UAE
Navigating customs clearance is a critical step in the importation process, ensuring that your green coffee beans arrive in the UAE without any delays or complications. To facilitate this, you must secure the necessary documentation in advance to clear customs.
For imports into a free zone, the required documents include:
- A product photo of the front and back of your shipment — ensure your supplier takes these photos before sending the shipment in order to register it.
- Delivery order from the shipping/ airline agent addressed to the licensed company by the licensing management in the free zone.
- Second copies of the bill of lading (for sea shipments), the original airway bill (for air shipments), or a road manifest (for land shipments).
- Original health/ phytosanitary certificate.
- Detailed packing list.
- Certificate of origin.
- Bill of entry issued by local customs.
- Import permit from the agencies in the free zone for restricted goods.
- Import goods declaration form.
If you decide to import green coffee beans into a non-free zone area of the UAE, it’s advisable to hire a licensed customs broker. They can assist you in applying for permits and ensuring you meet all government requirements for your coffee import.
Coffee import customs duties into the UAE
According to the UAE imports and exports guide, businesses with a free zone license are exempt from customs duties in the UAE.
However, if you’re importing to mainland UAE (non-free zones), you’ll be required to pay a deposit along with a customs duty of 5% of the shipment’s value.
Beware of sales tax in the UAE
The UAE implemented VAT at a rate of 5% on most goods and services on January 1, 2018, with the same rate still applying today.
Discover our range of direct trade coffee beans
At Those Coffee People, we specialize in sourcing and supplying the finest direct trade Colombian green coffee beans. We travel to the remote, picturesque coffee regions of Colombia, seeking out exclusive varieties and exploring town by town to find the most unique and sought-after origins for you and your customers.
Discover our distinctive Colombian coffee origins and learn the story behind each estate we partner with. We can fulfill orders of any size for buyers in the UAE – contact us for more details.
If you’re considering importing coffee into the GCC, check out these helpful importation guides: