How do Indian beverage brands enter the UAE?
An Indian beverage brand enters the UAE through a UAE-licensed importer — its own UAE company or a partner — that registers the product with the emirate's food authority, such as Dubai Municipality. The label must be rebuilt in Arabic and English to GCC rules, halal status confirmed where ingredients require it, and the shipment can claim CEPA duty relief with a valid certificate of origin. We run registration, labels and launch; UAE registration is AED 12,000 per product.
What does the UAE–India CEPA mean for food and beverage brands?
The UAE–India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, in force since 1 May 2022, removes or reduces customs duties on qualifying goods traded between the two countries. To benefit, a product must meet the rules of origin, be correctly classified and travel with a valid CEPA certificate of origin. Some tariff lines are on phased schedules, so we check your product's line before you price it. CEPA does not replace product registration or labelling.
Does my Indian label work in the UAE?
Usually not as it is. UAE labels follow GCC rules (GSO 9) with mandatory items in Arabic and English — ingredients, allergens, net quantity, dates, storage, origin, producer or importer — and a GSO 2233 nutrition panel. Indian labels built for FSSAI rules typically need new Arabic text, a different nutrition format and adjusted claims. We review and adapt artwork before print — packaging design from AED 8,000 per SKU.
Do Indian food and beverage products need halal certification for the UAE?
Where relevant, yes. A halal certificate from a recognised body is required for products with animal-derived ingredients, and many UAE retailers expect halal certification for all food and drink. For most beverages the issue sits in flavour carriers, colours or processing aids. We check every ingredient's halal status during the recipe screen, before the label and registration are prepared.
Can I manufacture in India for export to the GCC via a UAE partner?
Yes. 360 F&B HUB works with own and partner production facilities in the UAE, MENA and India. For export, production in India is planned together with GCC-compliant labels, registrations in each destination and an importer per market. Whether to produce in India or in the UAE depends on the product, pack, duty position and logistics — we compare both routes on the strategy call.
Should an Indian brand import into the UAE or produce locally?
It depends on your product, pack, volumes and shelf price. Importing keeps production at home but adds freight, duty position under CEPA and shelf-life pressure; producing in the UAE puts the product closer to the shelf and to GCC export routes. We build the price backwards from the UAE shelf for both options. UAE co-packing starts from AED 0.23 per can, materials separate.
Do I need a UAE company to sell my Indian brand in the UAE?
A company with a UAE trade licence covering food trading must own the import and the registration. That can be your own UAE company — 100% foreign ownership is possible for most trading activities — or a partner acting as importer of record. We help you decide which fits and build the registration around it.
Is this page available in Hindi?
Yes. A Hindi version of our site is available — choose हिन्दी in the language menu. You can also start on WhatsApp with a short description of your product and company; please don't send recipes or formulas by chat. A description of the product is enough for a cost range.
