How to sell to customers in United Arab Emirates

How people pay online

• Checkout.com reported that preference for cash on delivery across MENA halved from 41% to 20% over 48 months, and dropped as low as 10% in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. 1

Taking payments from abroad

• Antom lets merchants based in Singapore, Hong Kong, the EEA, the UK and the US accept Tabby from buyers in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, for AED 10 to 20,000 per payment. 2
• Antom lets merchants based in Singapore, Hong Kong, the EEA, the US and the UK accept Tamara from buyers in the UAE and Saudi Arabia in AED, from AED 1 with no stated maximum. 3

Import tax and duty on parcels

• UAE VAT is 5%, and a business based outside the UAE that makes taxable supplies there must register regardless of their value when no one else in the UAE is obliged to pay the tax. 4
• Dubai Customs Notice 16/2026 exempts cross-border e-commerce goods worth AED 1,000 or less from customs duty from 3 August 2026, except tobacco, e-cigarettes and nicotine liquids, and alcohol. 5

Where to reach buyers

• Facebook ads reached 9.70 million users in the UAE in late 2025, equal to 85.0% of the population. 6
• YouTube ads reached 8.37 million users in the UAE (73.3% of the population) and Instagram ads 8.05 million (70.5%) in late 2025. 6
• Snapchat ads reached 5.13 million users in the UAE in late 2025, equal to 44.9% of the population. 6

Common questions

1. How do people in United Arab Emirates pay online?

   Checkout.com reported that preference for cash on delivery across MENA halved from 41% to 20% over 48 months, and dropped as low as 10% in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. More on payments

2. Can a business outside United Arab Emirates accept the payment methods people there use?

   Antom lets merchants based in Singapore, Hong Kong, the EEA, the UK and the US accept Tabby from buyers in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, for AED 10 to 20,000 per payment. More on taking payments

3. Do customers in United Arab Emirates pay import tax or duty on goods bought from abroad?

   UAE VAT is 5%, and a business based outside the UAE that makes taxable supplies there must register regardless of their value when no one else in the UAE is obliged to pay the tax. More on import tax

4. Where should a business advertise to reach buyers in United Arab Emirates?

   Facebook ads reached 9.70 million users in the UAE in late 2025, equal to 85.0% of the population. More on ads