Dubai Customs launches e-commerce platform

Dubai Customs has introduced a new cross border e-commerce platform.

The blockchain-based platform, piloted in September 2019, will encourage e-commerce companies to set up shop in Dubai, official news agency WAM reported.

The platform constitutes two phases – first being the blockchain platform, that will facilitate e-commerce export transactions via couriers, and was completed in September 2019.

The second one will facilitate e-commerce import, declaration consolidation and automated refunds, as well as reduce fees and charges in addition to onboarding of logistics companies, a statement said.

“The cross border e-commerce is one of many projects that Dubai Customs have embarked on to boost the trade of the UAE and Dubai,” said Sultan bin Sulayem, DP World group chairman and CEO.

“The platform will eliminate declaration submission time and reduce cost of e-commerce transactions and identify and certify e-commerce companies in order to serve them better. It will also provide 100 per cent visibility to all stakeholders on e-commerce transactions and regulate goods return by linking trader and customs system to accept returns,” he added.

Ahmed Mahboob Musabih, director general, Dubai Customs, said, “It [the platform] will increase local e-commerce activity to Dhs24bn by 2022 and reduce cost of e-commerce transactions by 20 per cent, which includes storage and shipment.”

The e-commerce market in the Middle East and North Africa grew 25 per cent to reach $8.3bn in 2017, and is expected to rise to $28.5bn by 2022.

In Q1 2019, state-developer Dubai South announced its intent to spend Dhs2bn to build an e-commerce free trade zone – EZDubai – to attract e-commerce, logistics and other related industries.

Read: Dubai plans e-commerce zone with investment of $545m