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The Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation announced that the packages, approved by Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council, strengthened business confidence and supply chain resilience amid regional developments. The corporation mobilised resources to support businesses with practical solutions that maintained operations for thousands of companies. UAE government data shows the initiatives support the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which seeks to double the emirate’s economy by 2033 and raise foreign trade volumes from AED 14.2 trillion to AED 25.6 trillion over the decade.
Abdulla bin Damithan, Chairman of the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation, said in the statement, “Guided by the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, the emirate has developed the ability to respond quickly to changing circumstances — one of the foundations of its economic strength.” Bin Damithan added that supporting the business community in an exceptional environment is a national responsibility that safeguards the emirate’s achievements and strengthens its capacity for sustained growth. The chairman pledged continued efforts to enhance services, improve trade flows and save customers time and effort.
Dr. Abdulla Busenad, Director-General of Dubai Customs, stated that the facilitation measures reflect leadership directives and Dubai’s proactive approach. “The results speak for themselves: between 1st March and 30th June 2026, Dubai Customs attracted more than 4,000 new customers, reinforcing investor confidence and Dubai’s economic competitiveness,” Busenad said. The director-general emphasised enabling the private sector to continue growing with confidence.
Rashid Al-Sharid, Executive Director of the Finance and Administration Division at Dubai Customs, explained that the packages included extending deadlines for suspended duty cases, allowing instalment payments for customs duties and reducing financial penalties by 80 per cent. These steps provided more than Dhs79 million in liquidity to 428 companies, the official noted. A separate notice extended deadlines by 120 days for 6,613 companies on customs declarations covering imports for re-export, temporary admission and transit.
The Green Corridor initiative facilitated more than 203,242 containers and over 3.16 million tonnes of goods valued at more than Dhs33.9 billion from 188 countries during the period, Dubai Customs figures show. Food products led with more than Dhs5.3 billion, followed by machinery and electrical equipment at Dhs4.24 billion, according to the breakdown. The authority also processed medicines and pharmaceutical products worth Dhs446.6 million while maintaining a 93 per cent instant clearance rate through enhanced digital platforms like Shahin.
Dubai Customs identified more than 83 challenges and proposals from the business community related to customs clearance, logistics and shipping costs. Many were addressed promptly through new initiatives that accelerated processing and increased trade flexibility. The partnership between the authority and private sector underscored efforts to sustain Dubai’s competitiveness as a global logistics centre.
