Over a history exceeding 100 years, UAE Customs went through several stages until it started to take the institutional form during the reign of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoom, the Ruler of Dubai (may Allah rest their souls).
Before 2003, each Emirate had its own customs department managing the affairs of the ports and port customs and monitoring the movement of goods and commodities imported to and exported from the Emirate. The Supreme Council of Customs was coordinating between the local customs departments and was representing the UAE in the regional and international customs forums.
In 2003, the Federal Customs Authority emerged under the promulgation of the Federal Decree- Law No.1 of 2003 by H. H. Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the President of the UAE at that time, with regard to establishment of the Federal Customs Authority as a federal body concerned with enforcing unified customs Law, in order to achieve more economic integration among the Emirates of the UAE and fulfill the regional and international obligations in the customs area and the UAE’s obligations towards the GCC Customs Union, as well as to ensure the implementation of standards customs procedures, standardization of electronic systems, forms and programs in Customs field nation-wide and training customs cadres to upgrade efficiency and competence of the staff in this sector.
In 2021, the national customs work witnessed a new stage. On 25 August 2021, the Federal Decree-Law No. 14 of 2021 was promulgated with regard to the establishment of the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security to replace the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship, the Federal Customs Authority and the General Authority for Port and Border Security and Free Zones, whereby new competences and functions have been added to those of the Authority, including strengthening the security of ports, borders and free zones and regulation and management of customs work in the UAE in conformity with the international standards and security requirements.
Local Customs Departments:
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