Dubai Customs Card (Mukhallas Card) — Application & Renewal

A new application typically takes five to ten working days, depending on documentation completeness and Dubai Customs' processing queue at the time. We submit applications promptly and track the status actively. If additional documents or clarifications are requested by Customs, we respond quickly to avoid extended processing times.

The typical document set includes a valid trade licence for the clearing agency, Emirates ID of the applicant, personal passport copy, proof of professional qualifications or experience (where applicable), and the company's customs registration details. For individual agent cards, an employment contract or company letter confirming the agent's role may also be required. We confirm the exact requirements based on your specific application type.

Yes. A clearing company can hold individual Customs Cards for each licensed agent it employs. Each card is tied to the specific agent's identity and the company they work for. If an agent leaves the company, their card is deactivated. New agents joining the company must apply for their own cards. We can manage bulk applications and renewals for companies with larger clearing teams.

An expired Customs Card means the cardholder can no longer legally submit customs declarations on behalf of clients. Any declaration submitted under an expired card will be rejected by the system. This can cause immediate disruptions to a clearing operation. We strongly recommend beginning the renewal process at least four to six weeks before the expiry date.

No. A Dubai Customs Card provides access to the Dubai Customs system generally, covering sea ports including Jebel Ali and Port Rashid, as well as Dubai International Airport and other entry points operating under Dubai Customs jurisdiction. It does not need to be port-specific.

The Customs Card is issued to individuals or companies that hold the appropriate clearing agent licence as part of their trade licence activity. If your current trade licence does not include clearing agent or customs broker as a listed activity, you will need to add it before applying for a Customs Card. We advise on the licence requirements as part of our initial assessment.

No. These are two separate registrations. The Import Code allows a company to import goods in its own name. The Customs Card authorises a person or company to act as a clearing agent on behalf of others. A business that imports its own goods needs an import code. A business that provides customs clearance services to clients needs a Customs Card. Some companies hold both if they both import their own goods and provide clearing services to third parties.