KIGITAL ENTERPRISESFZ-LLC · UNITED ARAB EMIRATES Kigital Enterprises FZ-LLC logo

Free supplier network

Selling to the UAE: guide for small businesses

Kigital Enterprises FZ-LLC helps small businesses outside the six Gulf Cooperation Council states sell into the UAE. Joining is free.

Kigital holds the UAE trade licence, buys the goods in its own name and pays the supplier. The supplier pays no fee, deposit, bond or sample charge.

✓ USD 0 to join
✓ Written purchase agreement
✓ Unit price fixed before an order exists
✓ Company verification ↗
Join the free supplier network Open requests

Hurdles and the Kigital route

A small business selling into the UAE meets 10 hurdles. The Kigital route removes some and reduces others. Some remain.

HurdleMeaningKigital routeEffect
UAE company, capital and visaA RAKEZ company needs at least AED 10,000 of capital and a visa to open a bank account.Kigital buys in its own name under its own licence. The supplier needs no UAE company and pays no UAE capital, licence or visa cost.Removed
Importer licenceThe UAE requires an importer to hold a UAE trade licence.Kigital holds General Trading licence 7017565 and buys the goods in its own name.Removed
Payment routeThe UAE has no foreign-exchange controls. The dirham is fixed at AED 3.6725 for USD 1.Kigital pays the supplier in US dollars by bank transfer. The money goes to the supplier's company account in the supplier's own country.Removed
Import VATUAE VAT is 5%. A non-resident business selling inside the UAE has no registration threshold.Kigital buys outside the UAE and pays the import VAT at the border.Removed
Customs dutyDuty is 5% of cargo value on most goods.Kigital or the UAE buyer pays the duty at release. The bid price includes the duty.Remains
Product certificateA regulated product needs a conformity certificate from the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT). The application needs a UAE trade licence and a laboratory test report.Kigital holds the trade licence. The supplier provides the laboratory report and the label artwork.Reduced
Food registration and labelsA UAE-licensed importer applies for label assessment before entry. Labels carry Arabic text. Each pack size is a separate registration.Food lines open after Kigital completes its licence check. The supplier then provides laboratory reports, health papers and label artwork.Remains
Restricted goodsSome goods need a permit. The permit goes with the customs declaration.Kigital leaves alcohol, tobacco, excise goods, medicines, arms and gold outside the network.Remains
FreightSince March 2026, traders use Khor Fakkan, Fujairah and overland routes at higher cost.Prices are quoted ex-port of origin. Kigital and the supplier review the freight cost in writing.Remains
TrustA foreign supplier needs a UAE counterparty with checkable registrations.A RAKEZ verification page opens all five Kigital licences. Kigital checks each supplier before any bid.Reduced

Each route to a UAE buyer is confirmed with the licence authority before Kigital quotes a price. The licence of Kigital shows the RAKEZ remark on approvals from UAE competent authorities as applicable.

Demand signals

The cards show public statistics about UAE imports. Each card names its source. A card is not a buyer request.

Goods and services

Demand signal

Building materials and metal products

Abu Dhabi ports imported base metals and articles of AED 36.8bn in 2025. Plastics and rubber articles came to AED 12.4bn. Stone, ceramic and glass articles came to AED 1.73bn. Imports of stone, ceramic and glass articles in January to July 2026 were up 15.6% on January to July 2025.

Entry: A regulated product needs a conformity certificate from MoIAT. The application needs a UAE trade licence and a laboratory test report.

Suppliers of: Building materials, metal articles, stone, ceramic and glass articles.

Source: Statistics Centre - Abu Dhabi; Non-oil Foreign Merchandise Trade Through the Ports of Abu Dhabi Emirate by Harmonized System. Reference period: January 2025 to July 2026 (2026 preliminary). Entry steps: MoIAT, conformity certificates for regulated products.

Send a price
Demand signal

Electrical goods and machinery

Machinery, sound recorders and parts were the largest import section at Abu Dhabi ports: AED 44.7bn in 2025. Imports in January to July 2026 were up 34.8% on January to July 2025.

Entry: Regulated electrical products need a conformity certificate from MoIAT. The application needs a UAE trade licence and a laboratory test report.

Suppliers of: Electrical goods, cable assemblies and machinery parts.

Source: Statistics Centre - Abu Dhabi; Non-oil Foreign Merchandise Trade Through the Ports of Abu Dhabi Emirate by Harmonized System. Reference period: January 2025 to July 2026 (2026 preliminary). Entry steps: MoIAT, conformity certificates for regulated products.

Send a price
Demand signal

Workwear, textiles and footwear

Abu Dhabi ports imported textiles of AED 1.05bn in 2025, up about 12% in January to July 2026. Footwear came to AED 187m, up about 26%. Leather articles came to AED 272m.

Entry: A regulated product needs a conformity certificate from MoIAT. The application needs a UAE trade licence and a laboratory test report.

Suppliers of: Workwear, textiles, footwear and leather articles.

Source: Statistics Centre - Abu Dhabi; Non-oil Foreign Merchandise Trade Through the Ports of Abu Dhabi Emirate by Harmonized System. Reference period: January 2025 to July 2026 (2026 preliminary). Entry steps: MoIAT, conformity certificates for regulated products.

Send a price
Demand signal

Wood, furniture and craft goods

Abu Dhabi ports imported articles of wood and basketware of AED 306m in 2025. Miscellaneous manufactured articles (furniture, toys and lamps) came to AED 1.23bn, up 32.7% in January to July 2026. Art and antiques came to AED 1.29bn.

Entry: A regulated product needs a conformity certificate from MoIAT. The application needs a UAE trade licence and a laboratory test report.

Suppliers of: Wood articles, furniture, lamps, toys, crafts and art.

Source: Statistics Centre - Abu Dhabi; Non-oil Foreign Merchandise Trade Through the Ports of Abu Dhabi Emirate by Harmonized System. Reference period: January 2025 to July 2026 (2026 preliminary). Entry steps: MoIAT, conformity certificates for regulated products.

Send a price
Demand signal

Services

UAE services imports were USD 116.65bn in 2024. Communications, computer and other services made up 15.9% of the sum, about USD 18.5bn. Software, creative and digital services belong to the communications, computer and other services group.

Entry: A service needs no product certificate. Services run under a written agreement with Kigital.

Suppliers of: Software, creative, digital and business services.

Source: The World Bank: World Development Indicators: Service imports (BoP, current US$): International Monetary Fund; CC BY 4.0.

Send a price
Demand signal

Freight and logistics services

Transport was the largest group of UAE services imports in 2024: 46.3% of USD 116.65bn, about USD 54.0bn. Since March 2026, traders use Khor Fakkan, Fujairah and overland routes through Oman and Saudi Arabia at higher cost.

Entry: A service needs no product certificate. Freight, customs and storage providers join under capability group 8.

Suppliers of: Freight forwarders, customs brokers and storage providers.

Source: The World Bank: World Development Indicators: Service imports (BoP, current US$): International Monetary Fund; CC BY 4.0. Source: USDA Foreign Agricultural Service, GAIN report TC2026-0007, 3 July 2026.

Send a price

Food demand signals

Food lines open after Kigital completes its licence check. Interest registered now is held on file.

Food demand signal · opens after the licence check

Fresh fruit

UAE fresh fruit imports were USD 1.43bn in 2025. South Africa held 29% and India 11%. A Southern African origin already holds the largest share.

Entry: Food entry steps apply. A UAE-licensed importer registers each product and its label.

Suppliers of: Citrus, avocados, berries and other fresh fruit.

Source: USDA Foreign Agricultural Service, GAIN report TC2026-0007, 3 July 2026. Entry steps: USDA GAIN report TC2025-0008, 21 November 2025.

Register interest
Food demand signal · opens after the licence check

Tree nuts

UAE tree nut imports were USD 1.24bn in 2025. The United States held 52% and China 18%.

Entry: Food entry steps apply. A UAE-licensed importer registers each product and its label.

Suppliers of: Cashew kernels, macadamia and other tree nuts.

Source: USDA Foreign Agricultural Service, GAIN report TC2026-0007, 3 July 2026. Entry steps: USDA GAIN report TC2025-0008, 21 November 2025.

Register interest
Food demand signal · opens after the licence check

Spices and botanicals

UAE spice imports were USD 676m in 2025. India held 53% and Guatemala 13%. A distant origin already sells into the category.

Entry: Food entry steps apply. A UAE-licensed importer registers each product and its label.

Suppliers of: Hibiscus, moringa, ginger, pepper and herbal teas.

Source: USDA Foreign Agricultural Service, GAIN report TC2026-0007, 3 July 2026. Entry steps: USDA GAIN report TC2025-0008, 21 November 2025.

Register interest
Food demand signal · opens after the licence check

Chocolate and cocoa products

UAE chocolate and cocoa product imports were USD 821.5m in 2025. The EU held 52% and Singapore 6%.

Entry: Food entry steps apply. A UAE-licensed importer registers each product and its label.

Suppliers of: Cocoa powder, cocoa butter and craft chocolate.

Source: USDA Foreign Agricultural Service, GAIN report TC2026-0007, 3 July 2026. Entry steps: USDA GAIN report TC2025-0008, 21 November 2025.

Register interest
Food demand signal · opens after the licence check

Sauces and food preparations

UAE imports of soups and other food preparations were USD 901.9m in 2025. The EU held 30% and the United States 12%, in second place.

Entry: Food entry steps apply. Each pack size is a separate registration.

Suppliers of: Pepper sauces, seasonings and packaged food preparations.

Source: USDA Foreign Agricultural Service, GAIN report TC2026-0007, 3 July 2026. Entry steps: USDA GAIN report TC2025-0008, 21 November 2025.

Register interest

Food entry steps

Source: USDA GAIN report TC2025-0008, 21 November 2025, and TC2026-0007, 3 July 2026.

Kigital sends request cards to matching suppliers after the supplier joins. The cards on the Open requests page carry the quote builder.

Five onboarding steps

Enquiry

The supplier sends the application form by WhatsApp or email. The form lists the company, the country, the capability groups and the products.

NDA

Kigital and the supplier sign a non-disclosure agreement electronically. No application document is exchanged before the signature.

Application

The supplier completes the application form. The supplier sends the registration documents, the catalogue, the certificates and the price list in USD.

Verification and review

Kigital checks the company registration, the certificates and the references with the issuing bodies. Kigital then reads the catalogue, the specifications and the price list.

Network entry

Kigital shares its company documents and a sample Subcontract and Fulfilment Agreement. The supplier joins the matching list for its capability groups. Each requirement then arrives as a written request card.

Free onboarding

ItemCost for each supplier
RegistrationUSD 0
Onboarding and vettingUSD 0
Deposit or bondUSD 0
Sample chargeUSD 0
Monthly subscriptionUSD 0
Deduction from supplier paymentsUSD 0. The supplier receives the full agreed unit price on every order.

Kigital earns a trading margin on each order. Kigital buys at an agreed unit price fixed before an order exists. Kigital sells to its own customer at its own price.

Documents needed

DocumentPurposeStage
Trade licence or company registration certificateShows the company exists and lists its activities.Application
Tax registration number of the home countryShows the tax identity of the company.Application
Product catalogue or service profileShows the range and the specifications.Application
Price list in USD with minimum order quantitiesSets the unit prices for the agreement.Application
Quality certificates and test reportsShow the product standard for the product type.Application
Delivery terms and lead times, for example EXW, FOB or CIFSet the delivery point and the schedule.Application
Identification of the person who signs for the companyConfirms the signatory of the agreement.NDA
Company bank details in the company nameSets the payment account in the signed agreement.Order agreement

Common questions

Cost of joining the network

Joining costs USD 0. Kigital pays suppliers. A supplier pays no fee, deposit, bond or sample charge.

Eligible businesses

Small businesses from any country outside the six Gulf Cooperation Council states can join. The six states are Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Gold, gems, scrap, tobacco and alcohol stay outside the network.

UAE company requirement

A supplier needs no UAE company. Kigital holds the UAE trade licence. Kigital buys the goods from the supplier under a written agreement and sells in its own name.

Supplier payment

Kigital pays by bank transfer in US dollars to the supplier's company account in the supplier's own country. The supplier receives the full agreed unit price on every order.

Request card

Kigital writes each request card as a short note. The card states the need, the quantity band, the delivery country and the price due window. The card names no buyer.

Price and order

A price is a quotation. An order exists only when a signed agreement exists.

Supplier network application

The form takes about two minutes. Kigital replies with the registration check request.

Contact name, company name, country and city, WhatsApp number and the products or services supplied are needed.

The message opens in WhatsApp or in the email application with every answer filled in. Nothing is sent until the sender presses send there. Joining costs USD 0.

Sources

  1. Source: Statistics Centre - Abu Dhabi; 2025 and 2026; Non-oil Foreign Merchandise Trade Through the Ports of Abu Dhabi Emirate by Harmonized System. Reference period: January 2025 to July 2026. Figures for 2026 are preliminary. Reproduced under the terms of use of the Statistics Centre.
  2. The World Bank: World Development Indicators: Service imports (BoP, current US$) and Communications, computer, etc. (% of service imports, BoP): International Monetary Fund. Licensed under CC BY 4.0. Data updated 13 July 2026. Kigital computed the dollar split from the published percentages.
  3. USDA Foreign Agricultural Service, GAIN report TC2026-0007, Exporter Guide Annual, United Arab Emirates, 3 July 2026. United States federal work.
  4. USDA Foreign Agricultural Service, GAIN report TC2025-0008, FAIRS Country Report Annual, United Arab Emirates, 21 November 2025. United States federal work.
  5. Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT), service page: Issue conformity certificates for regulated products. Facts restated in Kigital's words.
  6. KPMG, Doing business in the UAE 2026, April 2026. Facts restated in Kigital's words.
  7. US International Trade Administration, Country Commercial Guide: United Arab Emirates, Import Requirements and Documentation, updated 25 August 2025. United States federal work.
  8. US International Trade Administration, Country Commercial Guide: United Arab Emirates, Trade Financing. United States federal work.
  9. US International Trade Administration, Country Commercial Guide: United Arab Emirates, Prohibited and Restricted Imports. United States federal work.

Rules change without notice. Kigital confirms each product with the issuing authority before shipment. Statistics are shown with the credit line of each issuer.

Supplier enquiries

Kigital Enterprises FZ-LLC answers supplier questions by WhatsApp and email.

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