Recover Your Capital. Eliminate Duty Overpayment.
The Financial Impact of Unclaimed Duties
Turn Compliance Into Cash Flow
For businesses involved in re-exporting or temporary admission, the 5% customs duty is often a refundable deposit, not a sunk cost. However, complex documentation standards regarding Exit Certificates and Proof of Export cause many businesses to abandon these claims. G12 acts as your technical auditor, identifying recoverable amounts from your import history and managing the end-to-end reclamation process to secure your refunds before the statute of limitations expires.
Eligibility for Duty Reclamation
Validating Your Claim Status
To qualify for a refund under GCC Common Customs Law, your transactions must meet specific criteria. We validate your eligibility against the following benchmarks:
- Re-Export Activity: Goods were imported into the UAE (5% duty paid) and subsequently re-exported to a non-GCC country.
- Deposit Liquidation: Cash or bank guarantees lodged for temporary admission (e.g., exhibitions, repair, or projects) that have concluded.
- Commercial Resale: Goods imported specifically for resale where duty was paid, but the goods were later rejected or destroyed.
- Administrative Errors: Overpayment due to incorrect HS Code classification or CIF value miscalculation.
Mandatory Documentation Protocols
Strict Compliance for Claim Approval
1. By Sea / Ocean Freight
- Original Import Bill of Entry (BOE).
- Exit Certificate (Proof of Export).
- Copy of Export Declaration.
- Copy of Manifest or Bill of Lading (BL).
2. By Air Freight
- Original Import Bill of Entry.
- Exit/Entry Certificate.
- Copy of Export Declaration.
- Copy of Airway Bill (AWB).
3. By Land Transport
- Original Import Bill of Entry.
- Exit/Entry Certificate (Border Crossing Proof).
- Copy of Export Declaration.
- Copy of Manifest / Truck Waybill.
The Recovery Execution Process
From Audit to Bank Credit
We handle the manual friction of the refund portal so your finance team doesn’t have to.
Transaction Audit:
We analyze your import/export ledger to identify eligible "Refundable Duty" vs. "Final Duty."
Claim Filing:
Submission of the claim through the Dubai Trade or Abu Dhabi Customs portal, attaching the validated exit proofs.
Claim Number Generation:
We secure the Claim Reference Number and monitor the status with the verification officer.
Credit Disbursal:
Refunds are typically credited to your Customs Standing Account or Bank Account after the clearance cycle (often within 30 days of approval).
Don't Let Your Margins
Sit in a Government Account.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the time limit for filing a Customs Refund claim?
For re-export cases, the standard statute of limitations is six months from the date of the import Bill of Entry. Missing this window usually results in the forfeiture of the duty deposit.
How long does the refund process take?
Once the application is submitted with a generated Claim Number, the review process by Customs typically takes 5 to 15 working days. Upon approval, funds are credited shortly after.
Can I claim a refund if I lost the Exit Certificate?
The Exit Certificate is the primary proof that goods left the country. Without it, the claim will be rejected. G12 can assist in applying for a replacement or retrospective Exit Certificate if the export data exists in the system.
Is the refund amount 100% of the duty paid?
For re-exports, you generally recover the full 5% duty paid, though Customs may deduct a nominal administrative service fee (approx. 1% or fixed transaction fees) depending on the specific Emirate’s regulation.
Do you handle 'Standing Guarantee' releases?
Yes. We assist companies in releasing blocked funds held as Standing Guarantees (Bank or Cash) once the conditions of the temporary admission are met.
