Telecom & ICT Equipment Import Requirements in the UAE
The UAE could be your next import destination for your advanced IT equipment if you are looking to expand your business abroad.
This is because the UAE government supports technological investments through various initiatives, including the Digital Government Strategy 2025 and the UAE Centennial 2071, which favor IT equipment importers and manufacturers.
However, partnering with an experienced importer of record could be essential to navigate the country’s import requirements.
Let’s discuss the requirements for importing IT equipment to the UAE and how an importer of record like Blackthorne can assist.
5 IT Equipment Import Requirements in the UAE
Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) and the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) oversee the quality and safety of imported electrical, electronic, and telecommunications equipment in the UAE.
Here are the seven key requirements you must fulfill for a compliant IT equipment importation:
1. Telecommunications and Wireless Equipment Approval (TDRA)
Radio and Telecommunications Terminal Equipment (RTTE) imported to the UAE must undergo TDRA Type Approval before it is sold, used, or distributed in the UAE.
To comply with the requirement, importers of RTTE equipment must:
- Register their businesses and the equipment with TDRA before importation
- Categorise equipment according to the risk-based, three-tier classification scheme (low/no risk, medium risk, high risk)
- Provide a Self-Declaration of Conformity (SDoC) for low-risk equipment
- Demonstrate equipment is capable of preventing unauthorised access and cyber attacks
- Ensure equipment is environmentally friendly
- Conduct equipment testing in a TDRA Recognised Test Lab (RTL) to facilitate type approval
- Label equipment with the TAR conformity mark as proof of compliance
2. Electrical Safety and Low-Voltage Compliance
Low-voltage electrical and electronic equipment (LVE) must comply with MoIAT standards under ECAS or Emirates Quality Mark (EQM) certification schemes.
To ensure compliance under the ECAS certification scheme, importers must:
- Register equipment with the Emirates Authority of Standardization and Metrology (ESMA) before placing it in the UAE market
- Ensure equipment is designed and manufactured in a manner that causes no harm to the UAE telecommunications network
- Conduct equipment Conformity Assessment via a Notified Body to verify adherence to relevant standards
- Provide a list of UAE standards applied to the equipment in part or in full
- Provide technical documentation for every product model, including IEC CB Test Reports, user manual (in Arabic and English), and Declaration of Conformity (DoC)
- Affix the ECAS Conformity Mark as proof of compliance
Large-scale or repeat importers are encouraged to apply for the voluntary EQM certification for streamlined customs clearance and brand credibility.
To obtain the certification, importers must meet the following in addition to the ECAS requirements:
- Submit an ISO 9001 certificate or Quality Management System (QMS) documentation
- Provide factory layout, internal audit records, and control procedures
- Undergo annual audits and ongoing surveillance
- Affix the EQM logo
3. Labelling Requirements
Here are the labelling requirements for the TAR Conformity Mark and Emirates Quality Mark (EQM):
TAR Conformity Mark
The TAR Conformity Mark must be:
- Affixed on product packaging (or user manual if invisible on packaging)
- Include TDRA approval number and QR code
- Clear, permanent, bilingual (in English and Arabic), and legible
- Affixed on in-store and online product listings
- Appear at the installation point or documentation (for embedded or modular devices)
Emirates Quality Mark
The EQM logo can be in black or white, or colored, and must:
- Be 1.5 cm × 3 cm (minimum dimensions)
- Appear on product body, packaging, or manual (if item is too small)
- Remain legible and durable throughout product use
4. Customs Clearance Requirements
In the UAE, TDRA provides a customs release permit for each telecom and ICT equipment shipment once they have obtained type approval.
As the business importer, you must provide the following documentation:
- Commercial Invoice, Packing List, Bill of Lading/Airway Bill
- Certificate of Origin
- Relevant licences/Approvals
- Approved devices in the company’s TDRA dashboard
- Import declarations
- Technical specification sheets and lab reports
- Labelling and user manual (in Arabic and English)
5. Duties and Taxes
As a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the UAE applies a unified customs tariff:
- Customs duties: The standard customs duty rate is 5% of the CIF value for most items, including computers, machinery, and equipment.
- VAT: The standard VAT rate is 5%
Import with an IOR
Use our online calculator to see how much it costs to ship to the USA with Blackthorne IT
Here are the top three reasons why collaborating with Blackthorne IOR can be helpful:
- Local entity representation: You don’t need to set up a UAE entity. We can fulfill all import requirements, including customs clearance on your behalf.
- End-to-end compliance: We ensure compliance with all import regulations regardless of your country of origin, avoiding delays and penalties.
- Cutting import expenses: From handling duties and taxes to last-mile delivery, we track your expenses and adopt global supply chain best practices for a low-cost yet compliant transaction.
