Clear, direct answers regarding Dubai Municipality and UAE border requirements.
Yes, it is strictly mandatory. All cosmetics, food items, chemical biocides, and general consumer goods must be successfully registered in the Dubai Municipality Montaji or food database system. Shipping products before securing registration can result in cargo impoundment, border fines, or mandatory re-exportation at the owner's expense.
You generally need a Certificate of Free Sale (CFS) issued by the competent government authority in the country of origin, a laboratory analysis report (detailing chemical, heavy metal, and microbiological tests), a Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certificate, and high-resolution artwork files showing all ingredients and warning claims in English and Arabic.
Once issued, a municipal registration certificate remains valid for five (5) years. During this period, you can import and distribute the approved formulations, provided there are no changes to the brand name, ingredients list, or label artwork.
No. The applicant must be a legally registered company in the UAE holding a valid commercial license (trade license) and registered with Dubai Municipality. Calipso General Trading supports overseas manufacturers by acting as their registered local commercial applicant, managing the portal compliance without requiring you to set up a physical corporate office in Dubai.