Dubai Customs Processes 1.36 Million Deposit Refund Requests in First Half of 2026

Dubai Customs processed 1.36 million applications for customs deposit refunds in the first half of 2026, marking a 3.6% increase from 1.31 million applications during the first half of 2025, according to official figures released by the authority.

The total value of submitted refund applications reached AED 6.9 billion in H1 2026, an increase of 13.1% compared to AED 6.1 billion during the same period in 2025. The value of approved refund applications rose by 14.8% to AED 6.2 billion, up from AED 5.4 billion in the prior-year period.

Automated processing through smart systems accounted for 844,500 completed applications in the first half of 2026, a 10% increase from 767,500 recorded in H1 2025. Smart system approvals constituted approximately 62.1% of all completed applications during the period.

Rashid Al Sharid, Executive Director of the Administration and Finance Division at Dubai Customs, stated that accelerating the release of eligible deposits helps companies manage capital liquidity and expand commercial activity across sectors including general trade, re-export, express shipping, and domestic industry.

Dubai Customs also confirmed an extension of the deadline for submitting supporting documents for refund claims from 30 days to 90 days. The measure followed operational reviews indicating that traders required additional time to assemble required records amid current geoeconomic conditions, reducing delays and preventing the forfeiture of guarantees.