Understand the policies, laws and regulations shaping business across China and the UAE.
Business registration · Investment · Taxation · Customs · Trade · Financial regulation · Employment · Visas · Free-zone policies. Every update identifies the issuing authority, jurisdiction, publication date, effective date and official source.
Effective 1 October 2026, holding a valid tax invoice alone is no longer sufficient to recover input VAT in the UAE under FTA Decision No. 13 of 2026. Businesses must perform structured due diligence on suppliers and transactions to avoid denial of VAT deductions linked to supply chain evasion. Transactions over AED 375,000 on a rolling 12-month basis trigger enhanced verification requirements, including bank confirmation letters.
The South China International Arbitration Center Hong Kong convened a legal panel exploring investment mechanisms between China, Hong Kong, and the Gulf. Practitioners highlighted a transition among Chinese firms from initial inquiries to formal corporate incorporation and compliance in the UAE. The discussion also addressed commercial dispute resolution and regulatory risk management.
Dubai-based business setup consultancy Dubiz has expanded its 24/7 advisory service to support international entrepreneurs across different time zones. Advisers provide round-the-clock guidance on mainland and free zone establishment, licensing, residence and Golden visas, banking, taxation, and corporate structures. The initiative comes amid rising inbound interest, following Dubai Chamber of Commerce welcoming 562 British and 211 French companies in Q1 2026.
The US Treasury determined that Executive Order 13902 applies to Iran's automotive and rail sectors, effective October 1 with no wind-down period. The measures target Iranian manufacturers alongside international suppliers based in the UAE, Hong Kong, and mainland China. Foreign financial institutions facilitating transactions in these sectors now face secondary sanctions exposure.
U.S. Department of the Treasury (Office of Foreign Assets Control)
United States
Effective October 1, 2026
Final rule
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