The Dubai Customs has announced Customs Declaration No. (09/2026) regarding the implementation of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between the United Arab Emirates and the Republic of Korea. This decision is based on the federal decree related to the ratification of the agreement and is in accordance with the directive from the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security.
The announcement clarified that the CEPA between the two nations will take effect starting May 1, 2026, setting the stage for a new era of commercial collaboration and facilitating the movement of goods and services between them.
The Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security emphasized, through its regulatory guidelines, the necessity for all relevant customs departments to undertake the necessary actions to implement the agreement effectively and achieve its economic objectives.
This CEPA is a significant milestone in the UAE’s foreign trade program, which aims to boost the non-oil foreign trade value to over 4 trillion dirhams by 2031. Once the agreement is operational, investors and companies from both countries are expected to benefit from the elimination of most customs duties and the removal of trade barriers in key sectors, including energy, resources, and advanced industries.