Dubai Customs air cargo transactions surge 53% in H1 2026
Operational development at the centres is complemented by customs facilitations to ease the burden on the e-commerce sector.
UAE – Dubai Customs’ Air Cargo Centres Management has processed approximately 18.2 million customs transactions in the first half of 2026, marking a nearly 53% increase over around 11.9 million in the same period of 2025.
The total weight of shipments handled reached approximately 1.3 million tons, compared with around 886,000 tons, representing growth of nearly 47%.
The shift in trade patterns is even more evident in the results of the Free Zone Department within the Air Cargo sector, which completed approximately 17.7 million customs transactions during the first half of 2026, compared with around 10.9 million in 2025, a growth of 62%.
Strategic Vision and Trade Empowerment
Mohammed Al Ghaffari, Executive Director of the Customs Inspection Division at Dubai Customs, said: “These results reflect Dubai Customs’ shift from facilitating trade to empowering it. The role of customs work is no longer limited to processing transactions; it now extends to supporting trade and economic growth, improving the business environment, reducing time and cost, and strengthening Dubai’s ability to attract trade flows and investments linked to the shipping, distribution, logistics, and digital economy sectors.”
He affirmed that the Customs Inspection Division is a key enabler of trade movement in Dubai, given its role in balancing border protection with the smooth flow of trade. “We are developing a customs inspection model capable of keeping pace with continuous trade growth and the rapid shifts in supply chains, strengthening Dubai’s ability to maintain its position as a pivotal hub for global trade.”
Customs Duty Exemptions and Operational Capacity
Operational development at the centres is complemented by customs facilitations to ease the burden on the e-commerce sector. Chief among these is the increase in the customs duty exemption threshold for eligible goods and products in cross-border e-commerce shipments to AED 1,000 (US$272), effective 3 August 2026.
Moreover, the total volume of imported goods cleared through the Cargo Village at Dubai International Airport and the Air Cargo Centre at Al Maktoum International Airport rose to 48.26 million kilograms in May 2026, compared with around 26.56 million kilograms in January, representing growth of nearly 82%.
Lastly, these strategic upgrades have enabled the emirate to manage a substantial increase in shipment weight and transaction frequency, with improved speed and efficiency.
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