Dubai Customs announces temporary facilities to pay fees in installments and reduce customs fines

Dubai Customs issued customs announcements Nos. “14/2026” and “15/2026” regarding the temporary facilitation in installments of the amounts due from payable customs duties, and the temporary facilitation to reduce fines in customs cases due and payable, in line with the directives of the Dubai government aimed at supporting economic activity, facilitating the movement of trade, and supporting customers during the current stage, and within the framework of the economic incentives package presented by the Dubai government, and in accordance with The powers granted to Dubai Customs in managing, collecting, settling and collecting customs duties and fines.
Dubai Customs stated that Customs Declaration No. “14/2026” provides a temporary facility for installments of customs duties due on import customs declarations, and applies to eligible invoices issued during the period from March 1, 2026 to July 30, 2026, provided that a credit account is used, and prior approval is obtained from Dubai Customs, in accordance with the procedures and conditions specified in the declaration.
She added that requests to benefit from the installment facility are submitted to the Financial Department at Dubai Customs via a designated e-mail or in person at the Dubai Customs headquarters in Port Rashid, provided that the last date for submitting applications is September 30, 2026, while all approved installment plans must be completed within a period not exceeding one year from the date of acceptance of the application, with payment available through the payment methods approved by Dubai Customs, including direct debit, checks, or any other payment methods approved by the department.
Dubai Customs explained that Customs Declaration No. “15/2026” provides a temporary reduction of 80% of the financial fines due in eligible customs cases, in accordance with the conditions stated in the declaration, and is limited to fines issued in customs cases before February 28, 2026. It also applies to financial fines only, and does not extend to include customs duties, service fees, administrative fees, or any other financial amounts due.
She explained that those wishing to benefit from the facility must submit a request to the Financial Department at Dubai Customs in accordance with the specified procedures, while the provisions of the announcement do not apply to fines that have previously been paid, nor do they include cases or complaints pending before the Dubai Government Legal Affairs Department, the courts, the Public Prosecution, or law enforcement agencies, except after obtaining the necessary approvals in accordance with the approved controls.
It is also permissible to submit a request for a reduction after the end of any administrative or judicial dispute, provided that the request is submitted before the expiry of the specified period. It is also not permissible to combine a request to reduce fines with the completion of reconciliation settlement procedures in accordance with the provisions of Article 151 of the Unified Customs Law.
The announcement stipulated that the last date for submitting applications to benefit from the fine reduction facility is December 31, 2026, with the original fine remaining due until all conditions and obligations are met, provided that approval for the reduction is subject to the payment of 20% of the value of the remaining fine after the reduction, and an exception may be approved for installments of this amount, provided that payment is completed in full before June 30, 2027, and the reduction does not become final until the full amounts due are paid, including customs and other fees. Customs duties.
Dubai Customs confirmed that it reserves the right to cancel the installment facility or agree to a reduction, and to take the necessary measures in the event of a breach of payment terms, failure of payment methods, the emergence of an administrative or judicial dispute, or any other circumstances that require this in accordance with applicable laws and procedures, including demanding the full amounts due, reactivating collection and recovery procedures, suspending some customs transactions and facilities, or taking legal escalation measures according to each case.
The two announcements will be effective as of May 21, 2026, while the concerned departments will take the necessary measures to implement them, each within its scope of jurisdiction.