United Arab Emirates´ major exports and imports

Quick Overview

The UAE recorded AED6.014 trillion in total goods and services trade in 2025. Non-oil trade reached AED3.8 trillion, including AED813.8 billion in national exports, AED830.2 billion in re-exports and more than AED2.1 trillion in imports.

UAE International Trade at a Glance

The United Arab Emirates is a major energy exporter, manufacturing center, consumer market and re-export hub connecting Asia, Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

Its trade profile extends beyond crude oil. Gold, jewelry, aluminum, refined petroleum, plastics, electronics, vehicles, machinery and aviation components are important parts of the country’s import and export activity.

In 2025, the UAE entered the world’s top 10 merchandise exporters for the first time. It ranked ninth globally for goods exports and thirteenth for goods imports.

UAE Trade Figures for 2025

The country’s total trade in goods and services increased from approximately US$949 billion in 2021 to US$1.637 trillion in 2025.

Businesses moving commercial cargo can compare available options through the freight cost calculator and estimate transportation schedules with the transit time calculator.

Growth of the UAE’s Non-Oil Trade

Non-oil foreign trade increased by approximately 27% in 2025, reaching a new record of around AED3.8 trillion.

National non-oil exports grew faster than imports and re-exports, increasing by 45.5% compared with 2024.

National exports accounted for 21.6% of non-oil trade in 2025, compared with 18.8% in 2024. The increase reflects the expansion of domestic manufacturing and value-added industries.

Latest UAE Trade Figures for 2026

During the first half of 2026, the UAE’s non-oil foreign trade reached AED1.937 trillion, an increase of 13.1% from the same period of 2025.

National non-oil exports reached a first-half record of AED452.8 billion, increasing by 23.9%.

Gold remained the country’s largest non-oil traded commodity during the first half of 2026. Telecommunications equipment, jewelry, vehicles and diamonds were also among the leading product groups.

What Does the UAE Export?

The UAE exports crude oil, refined petroleum, natural gas, gold, jewelry, aluminum, petrochemicals, plastics, aviation components and manufactured products.

The country also exports and re-exports smartphones, computers, vehicles, diamonds and other goods that pass through its ports, airports and free zones.

The following table uses the latest detailed WTO product-level data available for 2024. The newer 2025 figures provide broader totals but not the same complete product breakdown.

Leading UAE Export Products

Crude Oil and Natural Gas

Crude oil remains one of the UAE’s largest exports. Most production is concentrated in Abu Dhabi, although energy-related activities are present across several emirates.

Major energy exports include:

• Crude petroleum
• Refined petroleum
• Liquefied natural gas
• Liquefied petroleum gases
• Fuel oils
• Petrochemical feedstocks
• Sulfur and other energy-industry products

Oil and gas cargo normally moves through dedicated pipelines, tanker terminals, LNG facilities and specialist vessels rather than standard shipping containers.

However, container and air freight services are widely used for machinery, valves, pumps, drilling equipment, spare parts and other products supporting the energy industry.

Gold, Jewelry and Precious Stones

The UAE is one of the world’s largest trading centers for gold, jewelry and diamonds. Dubai is particularly important for the refining, wholesale trading, retailing and re-export of precious metals and stones.

The UAE both imports and exports large quantities of gold. This occurs because imported gold may be:

• Refined or processed
• Manufactured into jewelry
• Sold through commodity markets
• Stored in specialized facilities
• Re-exported to another market

Gold was valued at more than US$77 billion in UAE exports and approximately US$104 billion in imports in 2024.

High-value precious-metal shipments require specialist security, customs procedures, insurance and controlled transportation.

Refined Petroleum and Petrochemicals

The UAE exports refined petroleum products in addition to crude oil. Refineries convert crude into fuels and other petroleum-based products for domestic use and international sale.

Major products include:

• Gasoline
• Jet fuel
• Diesel
• Naphtha
• Fuel oil
• Lubricants
• Petroleum gases
• Petrochemical feedstocks

The country also exports ethylene polymers, polypropylene, fertilizers and other chemical products.

Packaged lubricants, chemicals and plastic materials can move in drums, intermediate bulk containers, tank containers or standard containers. Hazardous products require the correct classification, packaging and dangerous-goods documents.

Aluminum, Copper and Manufactured Metals

The UAE has developed a substantial metals industry supported by modern smelters, industrial zones and access to international ports.

Important metal exports include:

• Primary aluminum
• Aluminum sheets and products
• Copper wire
• Iron and steel products
• Precious-metal compounds
• Fabricated metal components

Aluminum and copper wire were among the UAE’s principal national non-oil exports in 2025.

Heavy or high-volume metal products are commonly transported by FCL shipping. Smaller orders may be suitable for LCL shipping.

Machinery, Aircraft Parts and Electronics

The UAE exports aircraft components, telecommunications equipment, electrical machinery and industrial products.

Aviation is particularly important because Dubai and Abu Dhabi are major airline, maintenance and logistics centers.

Frequently traded products include:

• Aircraft engines and engine components
• Turbojet and turboprop parts
• Avionics
• Telecommunications equipment
• Smartphones
• Computers
• Electrical equipment
• Industrial machinery
• Medical and measuring instruments

Some products are manufactured or repaired locally. Others are imported before being distributed or re-exported to markets across the Middle East, Africa and South Asia.

Urgent aircraft, electronics and machinery parts are often transported through air freight services for the UAE.

Food and Agricultural Exports

The UAE is not a major agricultural producer compared with its energy and manufacturing sectors, but it exports and re-exports several food products.

These include:

• Dates
• Processed food
• Beverages
• Dairy products
• Seafood
• Packaged food
• Food products imported and redistributed through free zones

Food shipments may require health certificates, temperature control, halal documentation, product registration or destination-specific labeling.

Why Re-Exports Are Important to the UAE

A re-export is a product imported into the UAE and subsequently exported to another country without undergoing a substantial transformation.

UAE re-exports reached AED830.2 billion in 2025, increasing by 15.7% from 2024.

Commonly re-exported goods include:

• Smartphones and electronics
• Computers
• Vehicles and automotive parts
• Machinery
• Gold and jewelry
• Diamonds
• Medical products
• Clothing and consumer goods
• Food and beverages

The re-export sector is supported by:

• Jebel Ali Port and Jebel Ali Free Zone
• Khalifa Port and KEZAD
• Dubai International Airport
• Al Maktoum International Airport
• Abu Dhabi’s air and maritime infrastructure
• Sharjah’s ports and free zones
• Warehousing and regional distribution centers

Businesses can use the UAE as a distribution base for customers across Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Iraq, Africa and South Asia.

Where Does the UAE Export To?

India, Iraq and Saudi Arabia were the largest individually reported destinations for UAE goods exports in the detailed 2024 WTO data.

Leading UAE Export Markets

The UAE’s position between major Asian, European and African shipping routes supports trade with a diverse range of markets.

Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements are also expanding market access for UAE exporters. Exports to the 14 CEPA partners whose agreements were active by the end of 2025 reached AED175.5 billion.

What Does the UAE Import?

The UAE imports gold, mobile phones, vehicles, machinery, refined petroleum, jewelry, diamonds, computers, food and manufactured consumer products.

Imports serve several purposes:

• Domestic consumption
• Construction and infrastructure
• Industrial production
• Aviation and energy projects
• Retail and e-commerce
• Tourism and hospitality
• Warehousing and regional re-export

Leading UAE Import Products

Electronics and Telecommunications Equipment

The UAE imports substantial quantities of smartphones, computers, networking equipment and consumer electronics.

Demand is driven by:

• A technology-oriented population
• Business and government digitalization
• Data centers
• Retail and e-commerce
• Tourism
• Regional re-export operations

Dubai’s free zones and logistics facilities allow electronics to be stored, consolidated and redistributed to nearby markets.

High-value or time-sensitive products may use air freight, while larger retail and wholesale orders commonly move by ocean freight.

Cars and Automotive Parts

The UAE imports passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, luxury cars and automotive components.

Important products include:

• Passenger cars
• Trucks and utility vehicles
• Engines
• Tires
• Batteries
• Electronic components
• Replacement parts
• Luxury and performance vehicles

Finished vehicles normally move on roll-on/roll-off vessels. Parts and accessories may be transported by FCL, LCL or air freight.

A portion of imported vehicles is re-exported to other Middle Eastern, African and Asian markets.

Machinery and Aviation Equipment

Infrastructure, construction, energy, manufacturing and aviation create strong demand for imported machinery.

The UAE imports:

• Construction equipment
• Industrial machinery
• Power-generating equipment
• Pumps and compressors
• Aircraft engines and components
• Medical machinery
• Electrical equipment
• Measuring instruments

Large machinery commonly requires full containers, flat racks, open-top equipment or breakbulk transportation.

Food and Beverages

The UAE imports much of the food consumed by its population, tourism sector and hospitality industry.

Common imports include:

• Rice and grains
• Meat and poultry
• Dairy products
• Fruit and vegetables
• Seafood
• Coffee and tea
• Packaged food
• Beverages
• Cooking oils
• Confectionery

Food importers must check product registration, labeling, shelf-life, health-certificate and temperature-control requirements before shipping.

Dry products can move in standard containers, while frozen and chilled goods generally require refrigerated containers or air freight.

Where Does the UAE Import From?

China was the UAE’s largest source of goods imports in 2024, supplying 18.9% of total merchandise imports.

Leading UAE Import Sources

Imports From China

China supplies the UAE with:

• Mobile phones
• Computers
• Electronics
• Electrical equipment
• Machinery
• Furniture
• Textiles
• Consumer goods
• Vehicles and components
• Construction products

China remained the UAE’s largest non-oil trading partner during the first half of 2026, with bilateral non-oil trade reaching AED180.7 billion.

Imports From India

Major imports from India include:

• Gold and jewelry
• Diamonds
• Food products
• Machinery
• Chemicals
• Textiles
• Pharmaceuticals
• Petroleum products

India is also an important destination for UAE exports and re-exports.

Imports From Europe

European suppliers provide the UAE with:

• Vehicles
• Machinery
• Pharmaceuticals
• Aviation equipment
• Cosmetics
• Luxury products
• Food and beverages
• Industrial technology

Germany, Italy, France, Switzerland, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom are important European suppliers.

UAE Trade With the United States

The United States exported approximately US$26.4 billion in goods to the UAE in 2024, while UAE exports to the U.S. totaled approximately US$11.7 billion.

Common U.S. exports to the UAE include:

• Aircraft and aviation equipment
• Machinery
• Vehicles
• Medical products
• Electronics
• Chemicals
• Food products

Common UAE exports to the United States include:

• Aluminum
• Petroleum products
• Precious metals
• Chemicals
• Machinery and industrial products

Businesses can compare shipping options through the US-to-UAE freight guide and the UAE-to-US freight guide.

How Are UAE Imports and Exports Shipped?

The appropriate mode depends on the cargo’s weight, dimensions, value, urgency and handling requirements.

Bulk and Specialist Shipping

Crude oil, LNG, refined petroleum and bulk minerals generally move using:

• Oil tankers
• LNG carriers
• Bulk vessels
• Pipelines
• Dedicated terminals
• Specialist storage facilities

FCL Ocean Freight

FCL is commonly used for:

• Machinery
• Automotive parts
• Electronics
• Packaged chemicals
• Food products
• Furniture
• Construction materials
• Large retail orders

The shipper receives exclusive use of a 20-foot, 40-foot or 40-foot high-cube container.

Businesses can compare available services through the ocean freight to the UAE page.

LCL Ocean Freight

LCL allows businesses to share container capacity and pay for the volume used.

It is suitable for:

• Several pallets
• Small wholesale orders
• Spare parts
• Commercial samples
• Packaged consumer goods
• Smaller machinery shipments

LCL requires consolidation at origin and deconsolidation after arrival.

Air Freight

Air freight is normally used for:

• Electronics
• Pharmaceuticals
• Aircraft-on-ground parts
• Medical equipment
• Urgent machinery components
• High-value goods
• Perishable products
• Commercial samples

Air cargo gateways include Dubai International Airport, Al Maktoum International Airport and Zayed International Airport.

Main Container Ports in the UAE

Port of Jebel Ali

The Port of Jebel Ali is the country’s principal container and re-export hub.

It provides access to Dubai, Jebel Ali Free Zone and distribution markets throughout the UAE and wider GCC region.

Common cargo includes:

• Electronics
• Machinery
• Consumer goods
• Vehicles and parts
• Food
• Chemicals
• Retail inventory

Khalifa Port

Khalifa Port serves Abu Dhabi, KEZAD and major industrial, manufacturing and logistics operations.

It handles containers, vehicles, general cargo, project cargo and bulk commodities.

Port of Sharjah

The Port of Sharjah serves Sharjah, Ajman and northern UAE industrial areas.

It supports containerized cargo, general freight and regional distribution operations.

Fujairah and Khor Fakkan

Ports on the UAE’s eastern coastline provide direct access to the Gulf of Oman without requiring vessels to enter the Arabian Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz.

Fujairah is particularly important for energy, bunkering and bulk operations, while Khor Fakkan handles container and transshipment services.

UAE Customs Duties and VAT

The standard UAE customs duty is generally 5% of the goods’ CIF value, which includes the product value, insurance and freight.

Different rates or exemptions may apply to:

• Alcohol and tobacco
• Goods imported under a CEPA
• Products entering a free zone
• Goods imported temporarily
• Re-export cargo
• Industrial inputs
• Diplomatic shipments
• Certain medical or essential products

The UAE also applies a standard VAT rate of 5%. Businesses should confirm the customs value, origin rules, tariff classification and tax treatment before shipping.

Documents Needed for UAE Trade

Common import and export documents include:

• Commercial invoice
• Packing list
• Bill of lading or air waybill
• Certificate of origin
• Customs declaration
• Delivery order
• Import or export permit, when required
• Insurance certificate
• Dangerous-goods declaration
• Safety data sheet
• Health or phytosanitary certificate

The required documents depend on the commodity, emirate, port, customs procedure and whether the goods are intended for local use, a free zone or re-export.

The agreed Incoterm should clearly define responsibility for transportation, customs clearance, duties, insurance and final delivery.

References

• Emirates News Agency - UAE Non-Oil Foreign Trade Surpasses AED3.8 Trillion in 2025 - Full-year non-oil imports, exports, re-exports and growth figures.
• Emirates News Agency - UAE Non-Oil Foreign Trade in the First Half of 2026 - Latest non-oil trade, exports and trading-partner figures.
• Emirates News Agency - UAE Enters the World’s Top 10 Goods Exporters - Total goods and services trade, trade surplus and global rankings for 2025.
• World Trade Organization - United Arab Emirates Trade Profile - Detailed merchandise products, export markets and import sources.
• UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism - International Trade Map - Official interactive data for imports, exports, re-exports, products and trading partners.
• UAE Government - Customs Clearance and Customs Duty - General customs-duty and clearance guidance.
• UAE Government - Value Added Tax - Standard VAT information.