🇦🇪Import Korean Food to the UAE
Registration, labelling, duties and freight — what a distributor needs to bring Korean noodles, snacks, sauces and beverages into the UAE, with vetted Korean suppliers at 0% commission and one logistics partner from factory to shelf.
Why the UAE
The UAE imports the vast majority of its food, and Korean noodles, snacks, sauces and beverages are now stocked by every major retail chain in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Distributors use Dubai as a hub to re-export K-food across the GCC, consolidating mixed containers through Jebel Ali.
Product registration in the UAE
Register products in FIRS
Each food item is registered in the Food Import and Re-export System (FIRS) with label artwork before the first shipment clears.
Arabic labelling
Labels need Arabic (stickers accepted) with product name, ingredients, origin, and production/expiry dates in an approved format.
Halal for sensitive items
Products containing meat, gelatine or animal-derived ingredients need halal certification from a recognised body.
Typical lead time: FIRS label assessment typically takes a few working days per SKU once artwork is ready.
Duties & taxes
Most packaged foods enter the UAE at a 5% customs duty on CIF value. Goods staged in Jebel Ali free zones can defer duty until they leave the zone for the local market.
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 DDP quote covers the full door-to-door 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 + DDP 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 and duty, and final delivery — tracked on our portal.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need product registration to import Korean food to the UAE?
Yes. Food items are registered in Dubai Municipality’s FIRS system with compliant Arabic labelling before sale, and animal-derived products need halal certification. TY coordinates label review and registration documents with the Korean maker 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 DDP timeline. We consolidate weekly, so small first orders move fast.
What does DDP shipping mean for my order?
DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) means one all-in price to your door: pickup in Korea, ocean or air freight, customs clearance, import duty and taxes, and final delivery. You see your total landed cost before you commit to the order.
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 DDP quote within one business day. 0% commission: we make money on shipping, not on you.