Dubai Customs' "Cross-Border E-Commerce Platform" project has received widespread praise from the World Customs Organization (WCO).
The WCO published a special report on the platform in three languages (French, English, and Spanish), emphasizing that Dubai Customs’ experience serves as a global model for digital customs transformation.
The report highlighted Dubai Customs as a cross-border success story proving that innovation in customs services and border control is achievable through effective policies, solid partnerships, and advanced technology.
International Interest
The international recognition comes at a time when the UAE’s e-commerce and logistics sector is experiencing a significant investment boom. This growth has created tens of thousands of new jobs in shipping, warehousing, fulfillment, and last-mile delivery, aligning with the leadership’s vision to enhance economic growth opportunities.
Furthermore, the volume of goods transported via sea and air in Dubai has seen remarkable growth, fulfilling the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33) vision to become a global hub for economic expansion driven by logistics and digital trade.
Dubai Leading the Trade Transformation
Commenting on this global milestone, Juma Al Ghaith, Adviser to the Director General and Executive Director of Customs Development at Dubai Customs, stated that the WCO’s praise reflects the profound transformation Dubai Customs is leading in the world of trade and e-commerce.
Al Ghaith said: "We are operating clearly according to a comprehensive vision that anticipates the future and places innovation at the forefront of government work priorities. Dubai Customs has transformed into a global model for customs digitization.
"Our smart e-commerce platform, which utilizes blockchain technology, has become an international reference for cross-border trade solutions".
A Qualitative Leap
Atiq Al Muhairi, Executive Director of Customs Development at Dubai Customs, said: "Dubai Customs' e-commerce platform is a qualitative leap and a new benchmark in facilitating cross-border trade by strengthening the link between government entities and shipping companies, enabling companies to comply with customs requirements quickly and easily, aligning the logistics system with e-commerce traffic, and providing continuous support for digital trade through big data analysis tools based on artificial intelligence technologies.
"According to a report by the World Customs Organization, experience shows that the platform has become an important global model for how to use technology to facilitate legitimate trade and stimulate investment.
"The future roadmap for the platform includes expanding global partnerships with leading e-commerce platforms, which means that the platform will not only remain a tool to facilitate trade but will also become part of the future economic structure of Dubai."
Strong Results
The data showed strong results, with the total size of the e-commerce market in the UAE reaching US$8.8 billion in 2024, with expectations that it will reach more than US$13.8 billion by 2029.
Dubai Customs aims to convert 20% to 30% of all low-value mail shipments carrying e-commerce goods to the platform. Through cooperation with multinational express shipping companies and small and medium-sized enterprises, Dubai Customs has ensured that all parties benefit from advanced trade facilities.
The platform's scope extends regionally by supporting e-commerce routes in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).