Importing Brazilian food to United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates is one of the largest destinations for Brazilian frozen poultry and a significant buyer of refined sugar and edible oils. All imports of meat, poultry and processed foods must come from establishments approved by the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) and accompanied by a Halal certificate issued by a body accredited under the GCC Halal scheme.

Request a quote for United Arab Emirates Talk to our export team

Competent authorities

MOCCAE
Federal authority approving foreign meat & poultry plants and issuing import permits
ESMA / MOIAT
Standards for processed foods, edible oils and sugar (UAE.S / GSO standards)
Dubai Municipality, Food Safety
Port-of-entry inspection and release at Jebel Ali and DXB

Ports of entry

Jebel Ali (Dubai) (AEJEA)
Primary reefer gateway; DP World terminals; clearance via Dubai Municipality Food Safety.
Khalifa Port (Abu Dhabi) (AEKHL)
ADAFSA clearance; growing reefer capacity.
Port Rashid / Sharjah (SHJ) (AESHJ)
Secondary, mostly dry cargo and breakbulk sugar.

Required documentation

•Commercial invoice and packing list (legalized by UAE Embassy / MoFA attestation)
•Bill of Lading consigned to the importer of record
•Certificate of Origin issued by a Brazilian chamber of commerce
•SIF Health/Veterinary Certificate (for meat) signed by Brazilian MAPA
•Halal Slaughter Certificate from a GCC-accredited Islamic centre
•Certificate of Analysis (microbiological + chemical)
•MOCCAE import permit (meat & poultry) issued before vessel arrival

Indicative lead times from Santos

Santos → Jebel Ali (direct reefer service)18–22 days
Paranaguá → Jebel Ali (transhipment via Algeciras)24–28 days
Document pre-clearance window5–7 days before ETA

Tariffs & taxes

GCC Common External Tariff of 5% ad valorem applies to most processed foods, frozen meat and edible oils. Refined sugar is generally duty-free for industrial users. VAT of 5% applies at customs clearance unless the importer holds a zero-rated/exempt status.

Product-specific notes

Frozen chicken
Plant must be on the MOCCAE approved-establishment list; only certified Halal slaughter accepted; brand and weight markings in Arabic on master cartons.
Frozen beef & pork
Beef requires Halal certification; pork imports are restricted to designated bonded zones and licensed importers serving the non-Muslim retail/hospitality segment.
Sugar (ICUMSA 45)
Bagged 50 kg or 1 MT jumbo bags; must meet GSO 988 white sugar standard; Arabic labelling on bag identification.
Edible oils
Refined soybean and sunflower oil shipped in 24 MT food-grade flexitanks or in retail PET; UAE.S GSO 2483 limits on contaminants apply.

References

Other country guides