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CUSTOMS NOTICE NO. (05/2026) REGARDING TEMPORARY EXTENSION OF TRANSIT PERIOD TO FACILITATE SUPPLY CHAIN CONTINUITY

Issued on March 31, 2026, by Dr. Abdulla Busenad, Director General of Dubai Customs, this notice serves as a supplement to Dubai Customs Policy No. (35/2011) regarding goods in transit. The primary objective of this regulatory update is to provide customs facilitation to customers, ensuring the continuity of supply chains and maintaining a smooth flow of trade. The notice was prompted by the need to address current "exceptional" operational challenges facing the logistics and trade sectors.

Analysis

The notice introduces specific temporary measures designed to alleviate pressure on the movement of goods due to the current exceptional situation:

• Scope of Application: These provisions apply exclusively to Transit Customs Declarations.
• Extended Transit Period: The most significant change is the amendment of Paragraph (a) of Article (2) of the 2011 policy. Goods in transit must now be transported and delivered to the designated exit post within a period not exceeding ninety (90) days from the date of clearing the customs declaration.
• Provision for Further Extensions: The notice allows customers to apply for an additional extension beyond the 90-day window. However, granting such an extension is not automatic and is strictly subject to the approval of Dubai Customs.
• Legal Integration and Conflicts: While this notice introduces new timelines, all other applicable customs policies, tax legislations, and relevant laws remain in force. Any existing provisions that contradict this notice are temporarily suspended only to the extent of their inconsistency.
• Temporary Nature: The notice explicitly states that this facilitation is temporary and willremain in effect during the current "exceptional period" until further notice.

Conclusion

Customs Notice No. (05/2026) represents a strategic regulatory adjustment by the Government of Dubai to safeguard the logistics hub against external operational disruptions. By significantly extending the standard transit window to 90 days and providing a mechanism for further case-by-case extensions, Dubai Customs is prioritizing flexibility and trade resilience. This measure ensures that the flow of goods remains uninterrupted while maintaining the legal integrity of existing tax and customs frameworks until the current exceptional circumstances stabilize.

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