How to Import Shea Butter into the United Arab Emirates
Tariff line, regulator, documents, transit from Lagos and clearance for the United Arab Emirates — every fact sourced and dated.
Summary
- Customs authority
- The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has adopted a unified 12-digit customs structure. The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security publishes the Central Customs Tariff System for commodity lookup and duty verification.
- Cosmetics authority
- This service allows the classification of products of all types and forms based on Presentation / Composition / Use and Design. The classification letter identifies the product classification if the product needs or does not need registration by MOHAP.
- National tariff line
- The UAE applies the GCC Integrated Customs Tariff. Goods are classified with a 12-digit code built on the Harmonized System. Shea butter is declared under heading 1515.90; the importer confirms the full 12-digit line in the Central Customs Tariff System.
- Product notification
- Login to the MoHAP website or smart app using the UAE PASS. Fill the product details. Attach the required documents. Make payment & submit the application.
- Ports of discharge
- Jebel Ali
- Transit from Lagos
- 18–28 days
- Certification priority
- Halal, ISO 22716 / GMP, COSMOS
- Halal relevance
- strong
- Labelling language
- English or Arabic translation of supporting certificates
- Specific to United Arab Emirates
- Jebel Ali (AEJEA) is the principal container gateway for Dubai re-export.
- Specific to United Arab Emirates (2)
- The UAE applies the GCC Integrated Customs Tariff with 12-digit codes.
- Specific to United Arab Emirates (3)
- MoHAP classification decides whether a product needs federal registration.
Nigerian shea butter for the United Arab Emirates
the UAE does not produce shea nuts. Gulf and Levant buyers import the fat as they do other tropical vegetable butters. Dubai free-zone and mainland clearances are different jobs; Jebel Ali is the usual bill-of-lading port. EMI Agro works with 5,000+ women collectors in Kwara, Niger, Kaduna, Kogi. Jebel Ali is the usual discharge.
Ask for a batch COA on a NIS 571:2013 basis: free fatty acid, peroxide value, moisture, colour and melting point. Reject lots that smell sharply rancid or pour like liquid oil at room temperature. MoHAP filings sit with the the UAE importer — they do not replace a COA.
Trial lots start at 5 tonnes; standard orders start at 20 tonnes. Send the request even if you need less — EMI Agro reviews every United Arab Emirates enquiry against current production of 40 tonnes per week of finished shea butter and can schedule rolling shipments. Lead time is Ibadan production plus ocean time to Jebel Ali. Quotes are EXW, FOB or CIF; each term prices different services beyond the butter.
Two questions. We show the grade, the documents that usually apply and the next step — we do not invent a price.
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Step 1 — Classify & tariff
Shea butter is classified under HS heading 1515.90 worldwide; the United Arab Emirates extends it to the national line below.
Tariff classification for shea butter in the United Arab Emirates (sources and dates in References) Item Value Source HS heading 1515.90 — global Harmonized System National tariff line The UAE applies the GCC Integrated Customs Tariff. Goods are classified with a 12-digit code built on the Harmonized System. Shea butter is declared under heading 1515.90; the importer confirms the full 12-digit line in the Central Customs Tariff System. icp.gov.ae Duty and tax note Sharjah Customs: 5% duty is imposed on goods imported from abroad excluding goods in transit to GCC countries. sharjahcustoms.gov.ae Preference scheme and proof of origin However, the duty varies on some goods according to the tariff. This note does not treat 5% as confirmed for every 1515.90 line; the importer reads the 12-digit GCC measure on the ICP tariff system. Goods originating from GCC countries are treated as UAE local goods, provided that 40% of the raw materials used for manufacturing such goods is originated in the GCC. sharjahcustoms.gov.ae Sharjah Customs: 5% duty is imposed on goods imported from abroad excluding goods in transit to GCC countries. However, the duty varies on some goods according to the tariff. This note does not treat 5% as confirmed for every 1515.90 line; the importer reads the 12-digit GCC measure on the ICP tariff system. Goods originating from GCC countries are treated as UAE local goods, provided that 40% of the raw materials used for manufacturing such goods is originated in the GCC.
Why the first six digits are the same everywhere is explained in the exporting and importing shea butter guide.
- 2
Step 2 — Regulatory registration
In the United Arab Emirates, cosmetic-grade shea butter falls under MoHAP.
The classification letter identifies the product classification if the product needs or does not need registration by MOHAP. If it is determined that it needs registration by MOHAP, it must be registered in MOHAP according to the class identified in the classification letter.
Login to the MoHAP website or smart app using the UAE PASS. Fill the product details. Attach the required documents. Make payment & submit the application.
Required documents for MoHAP classification include a certificate from the regulatory authority of the country-of-origin along with English or Arabic translation.
Buyers in the UAE most often ask for Halal, ISO 22716 / GMP and COSMOS; status is on our certifications page. See Halal, ISO 22716 / GMP, COSMOS and our certifications page.
- 3
Step 3 — Required documents
The documents below are those MoHAP lists for a shea butter consignment; EMI Agro issues the ones marked as ours.
Documents for importing shea butter into the United Arab Emirates (sources and dates in References) Document Issued by When Commercial invoice EMI Agro At booking Packing list EMI Agro At stuffing Bill of lading Carrier On vessel departure Certificate of Analysis (per batch) EMI Agro With shipping documents Certificate of origin Nigerian agency Before shipment Form NXP Nigerian agency Before shipment MoHAP product classification (where required) Buyer / importer Before mainland sale Nigerian export-side documents are explained in how to import shea butter from Nigeria; the COA format is on the certificate of analysis page.
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Step 4 — Shipping & Incoterms
EMI Agro loads at Apapa (Lagos) and Tin Can Island (Lagos) for the United Arab Emirates discharge at the ports below.
Typical sea transit from Lagos to the United Arab Emirates (port-to-port days; confirm on the booking) Port UN/LOCODE Transit (days) Schedules read on Jebel Ali AEJEA 18–28 September 2026 - EXW: buyer arranges collection, freight and insurance from the factory.
- FOB: EMI Agro delivers on board at the named Lagos port; buyer arranges ocean freight.
- CIF: EMI Agro arranges freight and insurance to the named discharge port.
Container configuration is calculated separately — use the shea export container calculator and the container notes on the export overview.
- 5
Step 5 — Customs clearance & inspection
Clearance in the United Arab Emirates is handled through MoHAP.
The Central Customs Tariff System enables users to search for commodities by description or HS Code and view duty rates, agreements, and customs rules. Free-zone entries and mainland clearances are distinct customs procedures; SABER is a Saudi programme and is not a UAE filing.
Working with EMI Agro
- MOQ
- Standard orders start at 20 tonnes. Trial lots start at 5 tonnes. Smaller volumes can still be requested — we review every enquiry against current production.
- Lead time
- Lead time is Ibadan production time plus ocean time to the named port. EMI Agro produces 40 tonnes per week of finished shea butter and can schedule rolling shipments. Exact weeks depend on the quantity on the purchase order.
- Incoterms
- EXW, FOB, CIF
- Samples
- Trial lots start at 5 tonnes of the named grade. Send the request even if you need less — we review whether we can supply.
- Load ports
- Apapa (Lagos) and Tin Can Island (Lagos)
For the United Arab Emirates buyers our supplier page covers MOQ, price basis, packaging and lead time in detail. Shea butter supplier in the United Arab Emirates.
For commodity background see the complete guide to shea butter.
Related pages
How to import shea butter into Saudi Arabia
How to import shea butter into Qatar
How to import shea butter into Kuwait
How to import shea butter from Nigeria
Nigerian export-side procedure before the container sails.
Shea export container calculator
How many drums fit a container.
Exporting shea butter from Nigeria
HS heading, load ports and the country-guide hub.
Certificate of Analysis
How a batch COA is reported.
Frequently asked questions
References & standards
- dubaicustoms.gov.ae (accessed 13 September 2026)
- mohap.gov.ae (accessed 13 September 2026)
- icp.gov.ae (accessed 13 September 2026)
- sharjahcustoms.gov.ae (accessed 13 September 2026)
- maersk.com (accessed 13 September 2026)
Last reviewed September 2026 by EMI Agro Industries QC team.
Manufacturer-direct from Ibadan, Nigeria
Get an export quote for the United Arab Emirates
Tell us grade, volume and your port of discharge in the United Arab Emirates; we reply with pricing, the document set and a current COA.
You have just read How to Import Shea Butter into the United Arab Emirates. The next step is a real lot from the factory that produces it — EMI Agro, with factory-direct pricing and a batch Certificate of Analysis.
Trusted manufacturer
EMI Agro Industries Limited (RC 9364495) presses the butter in Ibadan — we are not a trading company.
Competitive factory-direct prices
Quoted EXW, FOB or CIF — the buyer chooses. You pay the factory, not a chain of middlemen.
Export-ready supply
We ship to European Union, United States, Canada, United Kingdom and Southeast Asia, China, India, Middle East, Latin America. Load ports: Apapa (Lagos) or Tin Can Island (Lagos).
Documented lots
40 tonnes per week of finished shea butter, a Certificate of Analysis on every batch, NAFDAC registered and SON approved.