Source : WAM
Dubai Customs’ Cross-Border E-Commerce Platform has received international acclaim from the World Customs Organisation (WCO), which featured the project in a special report published in French, English, and Spanish, describing it as a global benchmark for digital customs transformation.
The WCO highlighted that Dubai Customs’ approach demonstrates how innovation in customs services and border control can be achieved through effective policies, strong partnerships, and advanced technology.
The recognition comes as the UAE’s e-commerce and logistics sector continues to attract investment, creating thousands of jobs in shipping, warehousing, fulfilment, and last-mile delivery, supporting national efforts to expand economic growth opportunities.
The volume of goods transported by sea and air in Dubai has also increased, in line with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which seeks to establish the emirate as a global hub for logistics, digital trade, and economic development.
Juma Al Ghaith, Adviser to the Director General and Executive Director of Customs Development at Dubai Customs, said the WCO recognition reflects the transformative role Dubai Customs is playing in trade and e-commerce.
He added that this achievement embodies the leadership’s vision to position Dubai as a city of the future and a global center for the new economy.
“We are operating according to a comprehensive vision that anticipates the future and places innovation at the forefront of government priorities,” Al Ghaith said. He added that the platform, which uses blockchain technology, has become an international reference for cross-border trade solutions.
Atiq Al Muhairi, Executive Director of Customs Development at Dubai Customs, stated that the platform strengthens collaboration between government entities and shipping companies, enabling faster customs compliance and supporting digital trade through AI-powered data analysis tools.
He added that the WCO report confirms the platform as a model for leveraging technology to facilitate legitimate trade and attract investment, with plans to expand partnerships with global e-commerce platforms.
Data indicates strong growth in the UAE e-commerce market, which reached AED32.3 billion ($8.8 billion) in 2024 and is projected to exceed AED50.6 billion ($13.8 billion) by 2029. Dubai Customs aims to channel 20–30 percent of all low-value mail shipments carrying e-commerce goods through the platform.
Dubai Customs noted that cooperation with multinational express shipping firms and small and medium-sized enterprises has helped extend the platform’s reach across the region, supporting e-commerce routes within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
These initiatives align with the D33 agenda, which aims to double Dubai’s economy over the next decade, strengthen its position among the world’s top three economic cities, and establish it as one of the top five global logistics hubs.
