DUBAI IS WELL QUALIFIED

TO PLAY THIS GREAT ROLE

“Any country which isolates itself will never learn or benefit, and
this applies to individuals as well. We have learnt a lot. However,
knowledge alone is not enough…We have a vision, which we exert
all efforts to realise, of Dubai as a major trade centre for the East
and the West and we believe that Dubai is well qualified to play this
great role.”

H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum

Vice President & Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai
DUBAI – A GLOBAL TRADING HUB

Dubai Customs symbolises the traditional role of Dubai as a trade centre Dubai Customs
– an entry point to the Gulf since the late 19th Century. In addition to continues to
accommodating the Ruler’s Office, Customs has been witness to Dubai’s fulfil its role
infrastructure development and has assumed a far reaching sphere of as a symbol
operations, making a vital contribution to Dubai’s economy.
of sovereignty
As an integral part of the Government of Dubai, Customs continues to fulfil and guardian of
its role as a symbol of our sovereignty and guardian of our trading interests. Dubai’s trading
At the same time, it has become a leader in innovative services that interests.
support our national objectives. Speedy clearances and modern systems,
accompanied by helpful and courteous service, are, and will continue to be,
a cornerstone of Dubai Customs’ operations.

With a rich history, and vast experience to guide the way, it is time to look
ahead. There have been many developments in recent times that signal
the need to review the current environment and make the improvements
necessary to maximise Customs contribution to the future of Dubai, the
Emirates and the Gulf Region.

DUBAI CUSTOMS 1
 A WORLD OF ELECTRONIC
PAPERLESS DECLARATION

THE FUTURE OF CUSTOMS DECLARATION PROCESSING

Goods can be Over the past 15 years Dubai Customs has moved through the cycle of
automating its services, then making the services available in an electronic
cleared without
format over the web in the form of eMirsal and more recently modernising
actual papers our eServices resulting in the launch of Mirsal 2, Dubai Customs’ new
being handed in electronic paperless declaration system.
to Customs
Electronic Paperless Declarations

The new electronic paperless declarations system means that goods can be
cleared without the actual papers being handed in to Customs. However, if
special documents are required, or customs inspection is necessary, Mirsal 2
sends a “hold clearance” to the cargo handler until the necessary steps have
been taken.

One of the benefits of Mirsal 2 is that paperless declarations can be made

remotely 24/7 with an electronic signature and without the need to provide
hard copies to Customs. This means pre-clearance of goods, enabling
improved service delivery times and the ability to amend and cancel
declarations online. Customs no longer requires to have the documentation
submitted to them in order to process a declaration. However, the paperwork
will need to be kept by the importer/broker for up to 5 years as per
commercial law.

2 DUBAI CUSTOMS
Why is Electronic Paperless Declarations being introduced?

Its purpose is to reduce costs to importers, exporters and the freight

community by speeding up and streamlining import and export trade.
The trade growth in Dubai is increasing at a rate that is not sustainable with
current Customs procedures, therefore a new simplified way of processing
documents to Customs is required. Because Mirsal 2 requires data to be
submitted based upon International data standards it allows Customs to
focus on the job of inspecting high-risk consignments.

Intelligence and Risk Engine

In order to apply integrity and consistency of decision making Mirsal 2

has validation rules built into the system with an intelligent Self-learning
Risk Assessment Engine at the core of the system. Along with the Profile
Management and Profile Creation module the Risk Engine applies selective
and random profile matching on declarations. The use of predictive
modelling profiling area of the Risk Engine moves Dubai Customs to the
forefront of all Customs administrations world-wide in the way that we
manage declarations.

DUBAI CUSTOMS 3
 BOOSTING EFFICIENCY
AND PRODUCTIVITY

A WORLD OF BENEFITS

Mirsal 2 brings a Mirsal 2 brings many benefits to Dubai Customs and the traders operating in
world of benefits Dubai, namely:
to Dubai Cus-
Paperless – Improved efficiency
toms and traders
operating from Clients no longer need to present their declaration documents to Customs
Dubai. to clear their goods. By using a digital certificate clients can electronically
‘sign’ their declaration and submit it online for processing and receive a
response back from Customs within minutes.

Statistics – Strategic planning

Goods are classified and validated during the declaration process that allows
Mirsal 2 to capture the data leading to better defined trade data. Once
published, these statistics can then be used for wider business uses i.e.
strategic planning.

Pre-clearance – Quicker time to market

Mirsal 2 offers the client the ability to process their declaration even before
the goods arrive in Dubai. Also, a quick online response means goods are
able to move quicker without the need for Customs control.

Self-learning Risk Assessment Engine – Intelligent analysis

The Mirsal 2 Risk Engine is based on global best practice and takes
advantage of recent developments of self learning software which has the
risk engine itself identify potential risk criteria.

4 DUBAI CUSTOMS
Re-structured organisation – Utilised dedicated workforce

To cope with the growth of trade movement in Dubai and anticipated work
overload, Dubai Customs has reviewed its organisation structure, prepared
new competencies and skills descriptions, and where necessary trained staff
to new levels required to work in the new operating model that Mirsal 2
allows for.

Web-based interface - Accessibility

Accessible 24/7 anywhere in the world with an internet connection and a

PC; clients are required to register with Customs, Dubai Trade web portal
and procure a digital certificate to submit declarations which gives them the
freedom to clear goods anytime of the day during any time of the year.

Electronic Permit - Ease to Use

If a permit is required to import restricted goods the importer can apply for
the
permit before making a declaration and inform Customs of the permit
number and Customs will validate the permit with the respective authority
through the E-Government Permit Portal.

DUBAI CUSTOMS 5
 MIRSAL 2
REGISTRATION

REGISTRATION STEPS

Dubai Customs Step 1: Apply for Customs Code Process duration: 15 Minutes
has created a
step by step • Go to Dubai Trade web site using URL: www.dubaitrade.ae
process for • Under Sub Frame Dubai Customs, click “Registration & Other services”
Mirsal 2 • Choose which new code type to register.
· Importer/Exporter
· Clearing Agent
· Shipping Agent
· FTZ Licencee
· Broker / Rep.Card
· NOC Application
· Account Request
· CW License
• Contact number for further information: 04-3023 841/799/808

Step 2: Register in Dubai Trade Process duration: 1 Hour

• Go to Dubai Trade web site using URL: www.dubaitrade.ae

• Click on the “Register Now” button.
• Contact number for further information: 04-800 4464

6 DUBAI CUSTOMS
Step 3: Open CRD Account Process duration: 1 Day

• Go to Dubai Trade web site using URL: www.dubaitrade.ae

• Under Sub Frame “Dubai Customs”, click “Registration & Other services”
• Under the “New” title, click “account request”
• Within the “text” click on link “application for opening account”
and fill the account form.
• Contact number for further information: 04-3023 818/951/952.

Step 4: Attend the Mirsal 2 Focus Group Process duration: 1 Day

Meeting/Training

• The authorized admin user will receive an invitation to attend training.

• The authorized admin user should attend the training session to be
aware of how to register & use Mirsal 2 for declarations.
• Contact number for further information: 04-345 0034

DUBAI CUSTOMS 7
 HASSLE-FREE
DOCUMENTATION

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

The documen- Documents Required To Complete The Registration Process

tation that is
required for • A copy of the Trade License; showing the following:
Mirsal 2 is • Issuing Authority Name

clearly defined • Date Issued

• Expiry Date
by Dubai • Activities
Customs • Renewal Date

• A copy of the Owner’s passport (only applicable for LLC’s).

• A copy of the Authorized person’s passport (authorized by a legal
power of attorney). Proof is requested.
• The Dubai Trade admin user name and password.
• Etisalat Digital Certificate “Letter of Authorization”.
• Process duration: 20 Min.
• Contact # for Information: 04- 3023 517 (e-clearance DPT.)

8 DUBAI CUSTOMS
Documents Required to Complete Etisalat Digital Certificate Process

• The requested documents by Etisalat as presented at: www.etisalat.ae/

pki/BusinessUser 
• A payment reference to the attention of Etisalat for the total cost
of all requested digital certificates on the assumptions of AED 35 per
certificate. The payment reference can be in the following forms:
• Direct payment to Etisalat bank account no. 0150447788 at

National Bank of Dubai.

• Cheque to the benefit of Etisalat with the price of the total

number of needed certificates

• Credit Card that is capable to process the e-payment with during

the training session

• Process duration: 2-3 days.
• Contact # for Information: 04- 2021 355 (Etisalat Co.)

DUBAI CUSTOMS 9
 GENERATING ADDITIONAL
SERVICES AND BENEFITS

ADDITIONAL SERVICES

The Client Licensed Customs Brokers

Accreditation
As an additional service to Mirsal 2, Customs has introduced the concept of
Program further licensed Customs Brokers.
enhances and
facilitates trade These individuals will be a one-stop-shop for customs brokerage needs from
and clearance classification, to clearance and post-entry services. The uniform processes
procedures. and eCommerce abilities of Mirsal 2 will help ensure procedures are done
right the first time.

Licensing through a thorough screening process will ensure that only

qualified companies/individuals can become brokers. They will have
knowledge of international as well as local standards, policies and
procedures and will be well versed with the functioning of Mirsal 2. This will
make the process smooth and less time consuming.

Clearing companies and individuals who have expertise in Customs laws,

rules, policies and procedures are welcome to apply for the license. They will
have to undergo training and an examination process after which they will be
granted a license qualifying them to process declarations using Mirsal 2.

The benefit of having trained professionals handle all aspects of clearance

will mean better controls, faster clearance, transparency and consequently
less customs intervention and improved trade facilitation.

Contact the Customs Brokers section at Dubai Customs by:

Phone: 04-3023-974 / 958
Fax: 04-3451148, Email: Client.Accreditation@dubaicustoms.ae

10 DUBAI CUSTOMS
ADDITIONAL SERVICES

Accredited Client Program

The Client Accreditation Program is a complimentary service being
introduced to further facilitate trade and ease the process of clearance.
Designed on an international standard and best practice, the program
will provide eligible clients with a certain level of services and incentives
which recognizes their past records as well as future intention to maintain
voluntary compliance with Customs laws and regulations.

Thus to become an accredited client, a business will need to show a history

of providing accurate and timely information to Customs and be able to
demonstrate that their systems will ensure continued good compliance.

The benefits for a business include automated pre-arrival clearance,

simplified reporting requirements, less regular interaction with Customs
systems, reduced government compliance auditing, flexible credit account
limit, electronic customs duty claims and refunds and reduced cost recovery
charges.

Contact the Accredited Client section at Dubai Customs by:

Phone: 04-3023-974 / 958
Fax: 04-3451148
Email: Client.Accreditation@dubaicustoms.ae

DUBAI CUSTOMS 11
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