Building BusinessServices

Section 22

United Arab Emirates

Middle East

India’s exports: 37,359.11 US$ million · 2025-26 · 2024-25: 36,638.02

India’s exports, US$ billion, 2025-26
37.4
India’s imports, US$ billion, 2025-26
63.9

What India sells there

  1. Gems and jewellery (diamonds, gold and silver articles) · HS 718,687.57 US$ million
  2. Petroleum products and mineral fuels · HS 275,850.69 US$ million
  3. Electrical and electronic goods · HS 855,397.88 US$ million
  4. Machinery and mechanical appliances · HS 842,354.97 US$ million
  5. Ships and boats · HS 891,314 US$ million

Trade agreement

India–UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) →India–UAE CEPA in force since 1 May 2022. Claim lower or zero duty with a preferential Certificate of Origin from the DGFT e-CoO platform.

Their import rules

  • Regulated products (electricals, toys, building products and more) need conformity under the Emirates Conformity Assessment Scheme run by the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT).
  • Food and agricultural imports are controlled by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MoCCAE) and the emirate food authorities; labels must carry Arabic.
  • Meat and meat products need halal certification from a body recognised in the UAE.
  • Check new SPS (food, plant, animal health) and TBT (product standards) notices for this market on India Trade Portal before you ship.

How to find buyers

  • Register on the Department of Commerce Trade Connect e-platform (trade.gov.in) to get trade enquiries and reach the Indian mission's commerce wing.
  • Join your Export Promotion Council (EPC) and apply for its buyer–seller meets and India pavilions at fairs in this country; MAI scheme support may cover part of the cost.
  • Write to the commerce wing of the Indian embassy or high commission with your product, HS code and catalogue; ask for importer lists and trade enquiries.
  • Gulfood and Big 5 Global in Dubai draw buyers from the whole Gulf; most EPCs run India pavilions there.

Export product guides

Rice (basmati and non-basmati) →Tea →Coffee →Cashew kernels →Fresh fruits (grapes, mango, banana, pomegranate) →Fresh vegetables (onion, potato, green chilli, okra) →Processed fruits, pulp and juices →Biscuits, bakery and cereal preparations →Natural honey →Makhana (fox nut) →Millets (bajra, jowar, ragi and others) →Readymade garments (cotton) →Handmade carpets, rugs and durries →Imitation (fashion) jewellery →Gold and silver jewellery →Cosmetics and toiletries →Agarbatti (incense sticks) →Plastic articles (moulded and extruded goods) →Rubber products (moulded parts, hoses, belts) →Paper, paperboard and packaging →Iron and steel products (fasteners, castings, fabricated items) →Hand tools and cutting tools →Pumps (water, submersible and industrial) →Electrical machinery: wires, cables and transformers →Ceramic and vitrified tiles →Granite, marble and natural stone →Glass and glassware →

Sources (6)
  1. TradeStat (DGCI&S / Department of Commerce) — Export: country-wise all commodities, 2-digit HS, US$ million, 2025-2026 · 2025-26
  2. TradeStat (DGCI&S / Department of Commerce) — Import: country-wise all commodities, 2-digit HS, US$ million, 2025-2026 · 2025-26
  3. IGOD (Government of India directory) — Indian mission in United Arab Emirates · 2026
  4. India Trade Portal — SPS/TBT alerts by market (FIEO, Department of Commerce) · 2026
  5. UAE Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology · 2026
  6. UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment · 2026