🇦🇪Import Korean Cosmetics to the UAE
Registration, duties and freight — what a distributor needs to bring K-beauty into the UAE, with vetted Korean suppliers at 0% commission and one logistics partner from supplier to shelf.
Why the UAE
Dubai is the re-export gateway for the entire GCC, and Korean beauty is one of its fastest-growing import categories. Distributors serving the UAE, Saudi Arabia and the wider Gulf typically consolidate Korean brands through Jebel Ali, the largest port in the Middle East.
Product registration in the UAE
Appoint a local importer
Products must be imported by a UAE-licensed company; the importer of record holds the registrations.
Register each product
Each SKU is registered on the Montaji portal with ingredient lists, artwork and safety documentation before sale.
Arabic labelling
Labels must carry Arabic (stickering is accepted) alongside English, following GSO cosmetic standards.
Typical lead time: Product registration typically takes 2–4 weeks per SKU once documents are complete.
Duties & taxes
Most cosmetics enter the UAE at a 5% customs duty on CIF value. Goods re-exported from Jebel Ali free zones can defer duty until they leave the zone.
UAE VAT is 5%, charged at import on CIF + duty.
Estimate your landed cost per HS code with our free import duty calculator. Open the import duty calculator
Regulations, duty and tax information is general guidance and may change. We confirm the exact requirements for your product and HS code before every shipment.
Shipping from Korea to the UAE
We consolidate LCL and FCL cargo from Busan every week. Below are indicative LCL rates from our internal tariff — the same data our freight team quotes from.
| Destination port | LCL rate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| DUBAI (JEBEL ALI) | $170 / CBM | 21 days |
Indicative LCL ocean rates from Busan, Korea — from TY's internal tariff, updated regularly. Ocean freight portion only; your final door-to-door quote covers the full cost.
How importing with TY works
Tell us your product
Send your category, target price and market — the matching form takes 3 minutes.
Supplier match + all-in quote
Within one business day we propose a vetted Korean supplier and a total landed-cost quote.
Samples & first order
We arrange sample shipping and consolidate small first orders with weekly LCL departures.
Ship, clear, deliver
TY handles export docs, ocean or air freight, customs coordination and final delivery — tracked on our portal.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need product registration to import Korean cosmetics to the UAE?
Yes. Every cosmetic SKU must be registered with Dubai Municipality (Montaji portal) by your UAE importer before it can be sold, with Arabic labelling per GSO standards. TY prepares the ingredient and label documentation with the Korean brand on your behalf.
How long does shipping from Korea to the UAE take?
LCL from Busan to DUBAI (JEBEL ALI) takes about 21 days port-to-port. Add customs clearance and inland delivery for the full door-to-door timeline. We consolidate weekly, so small first orders move fast.
What does DAP shipping mean for my order?
DAP (Delivered at Place) means TY delivers to the agreed place in the UAE — pickup in Korea, export clearance, ocean or air freight and final delivery are all on us. Import clearance, duty and taxes are settled by the importer of record, because only a locally registered importer may clear customs there. We prepare the clearance documents and quote our side in full up front, so the only open variable is the duty your HS code attracts.
More import guides for the UAE
Ready to source and ship from Korea?
Tell us your product and market — we reply with a matched Korean supplier and an all-in landed-cost quote within one business day. 0% commission: we make money on shipping, not on you.