Certificate of Origin Attestation UAE: 2026 Rules, Fees

Key points

The Chinese supplier no longer needs UAE embassy legalisation for UAE customs; the importer attests online.
Threshold: commercial invoices of AED 10,000 or more for goods entering the UAE mainland.
Fees: AED 150 per invoice and AED 150 per certificate of origin; AED 500 fine per invoice if paid after 14 days.
eDAS 1.0 was switched off on 8 June 2026; eDAS 2.0 with UAE Pass is the only channel.
A Chinese CO gives no duty reduction in the UAE because no China–GCC FTA is in force.

Two documents, two countries, two systems

People often mix up two separate jobs. The certificate of origin (CO) is a Chinese document: it proves the goods were made in China and is issued before or soon after shipment by CCPIT (the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade) or by China Customs. Attestation is a UAE step: the importer, or its customs broker, pays MOFA to attest the commercial invoice and the CO electronically once the shipment is declared. Until 2023 many Chinese exporters sent documents to the UAE embassy or a consulate in China for legalisation. Under Cabinet Resolution No. 38 of 2022 that chain is no longer needed for UAE customs; the attestation happens online in the UAE.

AED 10,000invoice value that triggers attestation

AED 150MOFA fee per invoice and per CO

14days after the bill of entry to pay

AED 500fine per invoice if paid late

Getting the certificate of origin in China

Issued by CCPIT, also called the China Chamber of International Commerce, and its local branches.
The exporter registers once, then applies online for each shipment.
Widely accepted by Gulf customs, banks and buyers.
CCPIT can also certify other commercial documents when a buyer or bank asks.

Register the exporterThe exporter registers with CCPIT or China Customs online, using its business licence and export record.
Finalise invoice and packing listNames, description, HS code, quantity and invoice number must be final first, because the CO copies them.
Apply onlineEnter the consignee, transport details, goods description, HS code, quantity, and invoice number and date.
Answer queriesThe issuing office may ask for corrections or supporting papers such as production records.
Receive the certificateCollect the stamped original or print the electronic version, depending on the issuing office.
Send copies to the importerEmail a scan to the UAE buyer and broker before the vessel arrives, and courier the original if the buyer or bank requires it.

MOFA attestation in the UAE: the 2026 rules

The legal basis is Cabinet Resolution No. 38 of 2022, in force since 1 February 2023: commercial invoices for goods valued at AED 10,000 or more must be attested electronically by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The company registers on eDAS 2.0 with its trade licence, users log in with UAE Pass, select the declarations to attest, pay, and receive a digital attestation in about two minutes, 24 hours a day. A physical MOFA seal can be added to an uploaded copy at no extra fee. MOFA switched off the old eDAS 1.0 on 8 June 2026. Each declaration needs its own CO attestation, and the CO payment must be completed before the related invoices can be paid.

Situation	Invoice attestation?	Notes
Import for the local market, invoice AED 10,000 or more	Yes	AED 150 per invoice plus the CO attestation
Invoice below AED 10,000	No	Keep the documents for customs
Goods discharged at a free zone port	No	Neither attested nor uploaded
Free zone to mainland	Yes	Attested when the goods enter the local market
Import for re-export	Upload required	Invoices must be uploaded to eDAS
Transit to a third country	No	Not uploaded
GCC-manufactured goods	No	CO uploaded, not attested
Service, installation or construction invoices	No	Not uploaded
Zero-value advertising material	No	Not uploaded
Personal imports and B2C e-commerce	No	Listed as exempt in the official announcement

Does this shipment need MOFA attestation?

An AED 60,000 furniture invoice cleared into mainland Dubai.

Containers discharged straight into a free zone port for storage.

The same goods later move from JAFZA into mainland Dubai.

An AED 8,000 invoice for spare parts.

Fees, deadlines and penalties

Item	Amount	Who pays and when
MOFA invoice attestation	AED 150 per invoice	Importer, before the declaration or within 14 days of the bill of entry
MOFA certificate of origin attestation	AED 150 per CO	Importer; one per declaration, paid before the invoices
Late payment	AED 500 fine per invoice, on top of the fee	After the 14-day grace period
Dubai Chambers CO for exports and re-exports	AED 100 per certificate	Chamber member shipping out of Dubai
CO in China	Set by the issuing body	Exporter; our Guangzhou team confirms for your city
Dubai Customs declaration	Reported about AED 70–80 plus AED 20	Importer through the broker; confirm with Dubai Customs

Worked example: one bill of entry covering two supplier invoices of AED 40,000 and AED 25,000 needs one CO attestation (AED 150) and two invoice attestations (AED 300), so AED 450 in MOFA fees, paid within 14 days. Paying both invoices on day 20 would add AED 1,000 in fines. Dubai Customs' penalty list also deducts from deposits taken for missing invoices or certificates of origin when the claim is late, so send the originals on time.

When you do not need attestation, and when you still need a CO

Below AED 10,000 there is no attestation, but customs can still ask for the CO with the declaration.
Free zone discharge and third-country transit are exempt; keep the CO, because it is needed if the goods later enter the mainland.
GCC-made goods: the invoice is exempt, but the GCC certificate of origin must be uploaded.
Invoices already carrying a clear MOFA stamp are exempt; no other stamp is accepted.
A Saudi, Kuwaiti or Iraqi buyer may still ask for CCPIT certification or legalisation in China; that is the destination's rule.
Under a letter of credit the bank follows the L/C wording, which may require a chamber-certified CO.

Pre-shipment document check

Before the supplier sends the documents

0/9

Consignee on the CO matches the importer on the invoice and B/L, as named on the trade licence
Invoice number and date on the CO match the commercial invoice
Goods description is specific, not parts or general goods
HS code has at least 6 digits and fits the goods
Quantities, package count and weights match the packing list and B/L
Country of origin is stated per item for mixed shipments
Invoice is signed and stamped by the seller
Value is the real transaction value, with freight and insurance shown if included
Importer's eDAS 2.0 account is active with a UAE Pass user

Key terms

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Frequently asked questions

How much does certificate of origin attestation cost in the UAE?

AED 150 per certificate of origin through MOFA eDAS 2.0, plus AED 150 per commercial invoice. Each customs declaration needs its own CO attestation.

Who does the attestation, the Chinese supplier or the UAE importer?

The UAE importer or its customs broker, online through eDAS 2.0. The supplier only needs to issue a correct invoice and a CCPIT or China Customs certificate of origin.

What happens if I pay the attestation late?

After the 14-day grace period from the bill of entry date, MOFA adds a fine of AED 500 per invoice on top of the AED 150 fee.

Do I need UAE embassy legalisation in China?

Not for UAE customs clearance. Since February 2023 attestation is electronic in the UAE. A buyer or bank may still ask for chamber-certified documents under the contract.

Is attestation needed for goods going into JAFZA?

No, if the port of discharge is a free zone. It is needed when the goods later move from the free zone into the mainland.

Does a Chinese certificate of origin reduce UAE duty?

No. No China–GCC free trade agreement is in force as of November 2026, so the normal 5% duty on the CIF value applies. The CO is still needed for clearance and attestation.

Can I still use eDAS 1.0?

No. MOFA decommissioned eDAS 1.0 on 8 June 2026. Register the company on eDAS 2.0 with its trade licence and log in with UAE Pass.

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General information checked on the date shown. Rules and rates change: our team confirms the details for your shipment.

Certificate of origin and invoice attestation for UAE imports in 2026